Prachanda threatens to launch fresh pro-republican movement

KATHMANDU, May 1: The Maoists will revolt from parliament, government and the street if Nepal is not declared a republic, said Maoist chairman Prachanda on Tuesday. "The Maoists will explode in the parliament, government and even in its cantonments and no one would stop it," he said at a programme organised to mark the May Day. He warned that if the reactionary forces assume the liberation of the Maoist as its weaknesses, it would begin the next movement. "The Maoists are not so easy for the reactionary forces to take on and they could come openly to see how tough we are."

Repeating that the basis of the 12-point-agreement has already lost its relevance since the failure to hold the constituent assembly elections in stipulated time, he said, a new basis should be found. This could only be the announcement of the republic through the interim legislature parliament, he said. Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, leader of the Maoists, said that that the Maoists had initiated an urban rebellion and added that the final battle was yet to be waged. "The laborers will lead the final battle." The Maoists have participated in the government to work for the people, if the government halts the progress towards a forward looking path, we will not be bound by the discipline of the government, he said. Matrika Yadav, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, said that the Maoist ministers will not allow the meeting of the cabinet to proceed until the country was declared a republic.

Other leaders highlighted the rights of the laborers and demanded reform of the laws related to the laborers.Meanwhile, RSS reports from Bhaktapur, president of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Narayan Man Bijukche has said that a socialist republic was essential for the rights and well-being of the worker and labourer community.Speaking at a people's assembly organized by the Nepal Revolutionary Workers' Association on the occasion of the 118th International Labour Day here today, he emphasized on the need for a justified wage for the workers and labourers who make their ends meet by working.Central member of the Party, Prem Suwal stressed on the need of decentralization and making the local bodies autonomous for sustainable and overall development.

Source: The Kathmandu Post, May 2, 2007