New book reveals Delhi-Kathmandu Maoist 'deals'

Kathmandu, Sept 23: A new book, released on Sunday, has revealed several secret deals between Nepal's Maoists and the Indian establishment before the once-underground Maoists joined Nepal's political mainstream in 2006.

"Proyogshala" (Laboratory), written by Sudheer Sharma, editor-in-chief of Nepal's largest publication house Kantipur, deals with the parleys between the then underground Nepalese Maoists, the Indian establishment, and the then palace.

The book also exposes how Indian intelligence agencies like RAW and IB, under the then Atal Bihari Vajpyee government, made "secret deals" with the Maoists through several interlocutors before a 12-point deal in 2005 was signed in New Delhi at India's initiation.

The well-documented book, which includes narratives of the post-2005 political situation till date in this Himalayan nation, gave examples of how the Indian establishment in both Kathmandu and New Delhi were equally involved in every major change in Nepali politics and successfully engineered their plan to restore peace and democracy in Nepal.

Before signing the 12-point agreement in New Delhi, which is the cornerstone of Nepal's peace process, the Maoist leadership had written a letter to the Indian establishment mentioning that they wanted good relations with India and wanted to shun their anti-Indian rhetoric.

Through S.D. Muni, a professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, the then Maoist leaders led by Prachanda had sent a letter to the Indian establishment stating that they wanted to join peaceful politics.

Unveiling the book, United Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M) leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' admitted he had written a letter to the Indian establishment and had handed it to Muni who later gave it to then national security adviser Brajesh Mishra.

"Yes, we did such diplomatic deals with India, China, the US and the UN," Prachanda admitted while unveiling the book.

"But changes taking place here were not (because of) the efforts made by foreign powers," he said, defending the claim made by the writer that "whatever is happening here is an effort made by domestic actors, not by foreign powers".

The book highlights how the Indian establishment established contacts with Nepali Maoists, how other major parties were brought by New Delhi to sign the 12-point deal, and how several plans orchestrated by the palace were thwarted by the Indian establishment and Nepali political parties before 2006.

Prachanda also blamed India for indulging in micro-management in Nepal's internal affairs which he said was wrong.

The book highlights how the Indian contacts with Nepali Maoists.

Gagan Thapa, an acclaimed Nepali youth leader, said that political leaders should give the answer whether India was the decisive power in Nepali politics or not.

Sharma had interviewed several actors involved in Nepal's political changes, including former chief of RAW and political and security officials who had first-hand information of those troubled times and documented the book which is expected to kick off a debate over Indian engagement in Nepali politics.

IANS