Addressing a gathering of women in Kathmandu on 8 March, Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) [Maoist] Prachanda said that Nepal is on the way to epoch-making changes. He was speaking at a mass gathering organized by his party’s women wing on the occasion of the 98th International Women’s Day. As in other programs, he stressed, “Those who declared us as terrorists and priced our heads for raising the issues of the constituent assembly, federalism, and republicanism have been acting as if they are the ones who developed these agenda by themselves.” He was alluding to the other parliamentary parties that, according to him, ‘have hijacked’ his party’s agenda. In an emotional tone, Prachanda added, “Women’s substantial sacrifices during the 10-year long people’s war have brought Nepal to this stage of change and peace.” He even did not fail to urge the people to be precautious against the imminent foreign intervention in the volatile period of peaceful transition.
Before Prachanda arrived, several women activists affiliated to the party had spoken about why they fought the 10-year long people’s war and why they have joined the peace process.
Some music devoted to the constituent assembly scheduled on 10 April this year was also performed at the program.
At the end of the program, the party’s women activists also began to collect signatures of women for the removal of Sujata Koirala, a minister without portfolio, from the present government. She is the daughter of Prime Minister and does his work since he is fragile. But people have characterized Nepali Congress’s Sujata Koirala as someone addicted to feudal monarchy. She has been defending feudal monarchy, matching her father’s stand.
Many intelligent and resourceful party leaders of the Nepali Congress have been overshadowed while relatives of party bigwigs have captured almost all the vital government positions. Since she represents the elite concerns, ignoring the majority interests, people have developed a negative attitude against her.