Prachanda calls for ''final preparations'' for people''s revolt

Shirish B. PradhanKathmandu, Feb 27 (PTI) Maoists supremo Prachandatoday called on his cadres to make "final preparations" for apeople''s revolt, amid a power struggle to take control of keyministry of Nepal''s new communist government.

Prachanda, the chairman of Unified CPN (Maoist),called upon all factory workers affiliated to the Maoist partyto make "final preparations" for launching the people''srevolt.

He said all factories, industries and hotels acrossthe country will be turned into barracks to ensure the successof the people''s revolt the party is planning to launch.

Those who believe that the Maoists will not wage anypeople''s revolt and think that it is just a bluff will soonget a rude shock, he warned.

Addressing a national conference of a workers''organisation affiliated to Maoists� All Nepal Trade UnionFederation (Revolutionary) on the outskirts of the capital, hesaid the Maoists will not tolerate any attempt to sabotage thepeace process and drafting of the new constitution as also tobring about a radical transformation in the country.

Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, who was elected bylawmakers after more than seven months of stalemate and 17attempts on February 3, has been unable to complete hiscabinet formation, amid disagreement over a power-sharing dealwith the Maoists, with whose support he won the election.

The two main allies - CPN-UML and the Maoists - havefailed to arrive at an understanding over the distribution ofkey portfolios. UCPN-Maoist, the largest party in the House isdemanding important portfolios, including the home ministry.

Pradip Gyawali, a top leader of the ruling CPN-UML,today made it clear that no ministries related to security canbe allocated to the Maoists at present as the latter was stillin possession of weapons and had control over its formercombatants.

Interacting with journalists in Gulmi district ofwestern Nepal, Gyawali said the Maoists� threat to revolt ifthey did not get the Home Ministry is meaningless. He saidpeople�s revolt as claimed by the former rebels is notpossible in the present context.

Gyawali said there were some procedural mistakeswhile signing the seven-point agreement between Khanal andPrachanda on the eve of prime ministerial elections.

The mistakes, he said, can yet be corrected and theparties can move forward.

The Maoists have been pressing for the implementationof the seven point deal, which reportedly includes provisionslike sharing the Prime Ministerial post between Khanal andPrachanda on rotational basis and forming separate unit inNepal Army after the integration of the former Maoistcombatants with the military.

The Maoists have threatened to withdraw support to theKhanal-led government in case their demand is not fulfilled,which is causing delay in expansion of the cabinet.