A jamboree after 18 yrs Maoist general convention set for Jan. 29

KATHMANU, Aug 1 - The month-long Central Committee (CC) meeting of the Unified CPN (Maoist) concluded on Saturday, setting Jan. 29 as the date for the party's first general convention (GC) and passing a 15-point Code of Conduct (CoC).
The UCPN (Maoist) general convention is due for the last 18 years since it took place in the Indian state of Punjab.

“The CoC, which was brought forth after the party rank and file started expressing dissatisfaction over the changing lifestyle of the party leadership, will be made public on Sunday,” said Maoist spokesman Dina Nath Sharma.

Though no details were publicised, Sharma said the CoC has it that the party itself will appropriate the property of party leadership.

Voices from within the Maoist party protested lavish lifestyle of the party top brass following the peace agreement and Maoists' accession to the government. According to Sharma, the code of conduct is expected to address the disparity in living standards of the leaders and party cadre.

Terming the CC meet an historic and exceptional event, Sharma said, “Held in a very turbulent time, we had outstanding discussions on several party agendas, including deciding on centralisation of ideology and leadership and finalisation of the party's future strategy, the CC meeting came out to be exceptionally fruitful.”

The CC meet also decided that the party would continue with its struggle to establish 'civilian supremacy' and people-oriented republic.

“For lasting peace and people's republic, we will continue our struggle from the street as well as parliament and the party has already given directives to party rank and file to this effect,” Sharma added.

The CC meet also underscored the need for a national unity government to take the peace process to a logical conclusion and draft the statute on time. Sharma said that Maoists will continue to struggle if other parties do not buy their idea of forming a national unity government.

The meeting also decided to launch a public health campaign under the coordination of former health minister Giriraj Mani Pokhrel to fight the diarrhoea epidemic in the Mid West. ( The Kathmandu Post)