KATHMANDU: Courting fresh controversy, Nepal's Maoist guerrillas on Wednesday announced they were reviving the self-styled "revolutionary people's councils" they had formed during their decade-old "people's war" to take on the government of Nepal. The move is likely to trigger strong opposition by the ruling parties as well as the international community.
| Oh that will do alot. 'Opposition', huh? Anyone think of doing something about it? |
The decision to resurrect parallel governments throughout the country comes after the former guerrillas and the top leaders of the ruling alliance failed to reach an understanding on municipal posts. The posts have been lying vacant since 2006, after the new government of the opposition parties declared the municipal election held by king Gyanendra to be null and void.
| This likly means that the commies think they don't need the local rubes anymore. They served their purpose, helped get rid of the king, let the commies get inside the government ministries, and now the commies are making their move. |
Baburam Bhattarai, convener of the Maoists' "people's council", said on Wednesday that in the absence of municipal officials, people were facing difficulties in villages and districts. The "revolutionary people's councils" would address their plight as well as begin new development projects, he said.
The move comes after mounting allegations that the Maoists were still continuing with their "people's courts" and collecting "people's tax".
| Almost as if they were negotiating in bad faith all along ... |
The new move will create fresh doubts about their plans regarding the April 10 election. Recently, they announced that each election booth will have the presence of 200 Young Communist League cadres, their youth wing that has become a byword for violence and intimidation.
| Every 'revolutionary' movement needs their SA ... |
Though the rebels took part in poll campaigns, they have been repeatedly clashing with the premier's Nepali Congress party and trying to disrupt its mass meetings. On Tuesday, such a clash in Darchula district left six NC members and five policemen injured.
The resurrection of parallel governments would also be a fresh cause of fear for multinationals and the Indian companies planning to enter Nepal's hydropower sector. |