Communist Party of Nepal

Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML)

Appeal for the General Election 1999

Respected Sisters and Brothers,

Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) is the biggest and most popular Party in Nepal with its fifty-year long sacrifice, struggle and glorious history. In the various phases of the past political history, this Party made the most important contribution and provided a strong and able leadership to the country and people.

It might not be necessary to list here what kind of party CPN (UML) is, what activities it has done in the past, what it is doing now and what will be its agenda of action in the future. These things need not be told again and again because this is a Party which has been born, nurtured and extended among the homes, minds and revolutionary spirits of all exploited and oppressed working people of Nepal. It is not necessary here to repeat the past effort and accomplishments of this Party for the country and people, we believe all of you are aware of them.

The election fever has started for the General Election taking place in 3 May 1999 (Baisakh 20, 2056). Our party has already started campaigning with a solid preparation. The first party to declare its candidates unanimously and without any controversy. CPN (UML) has plunged into the national campaign at top speed. Already the election wave is rising in favour of CPN (UML) candidates.

CPN (UML) was the first Party to decide for a Unified movement among leftist and pro-democracy forces to end the Panchayati tyranny and establish a multi-party system.

Be it against the totalitarian Rana regime or against tyrannical Panchayat System, the role of Communist Movement has been crucial and decisive. In the Pro-democracy Movement of Nepal too the role of the Communists has been in the forefront. In the continuos struggle of our Party against political tyranny, innumerable fighters sacrificed their lives. The leaders and workers of the Party faced imprisonment, cruel tortures and many hardships. Such selfless and sacrificial spirit was the factor our Party became strong and popular among the people despite the barbarous repression of the Panchayati rulers. With mammoth faith and trust of the people, CPN (UML) marched forward.

Our Party was the pioneer to bring the idea for a joint movement among leftist and pro-democracy forces to end the Panchayati tyranny and establish a multi-party system. It was only after the Fourth Convention of our Party on August 1989 (Bhadra 2046) decided for a Unified movement, other forces too warmed up to the idea. Upon the important initiation of our Party, the United Left Front (Bam Morcha) was founded and Nepal Congress too was compelled to come under the agreement for a joint people's movement. The complete and active response of people on the call for a Unified people's movement and glorious sacrifice of the brave martyrs marked the end of the tyrannical system. Multi-party system was born.

The role of our Party in the interim government established after the declaration of the multi-party system and in the formation of the Constitution of Nepal - 2046 was significant and crucial. Our Party played the most important role in ensuring an honest, free and fair first General election and to democratise the new Constitution.

In the first General Election of 2048, CPN (UML) became the majority opposition with 69 seats in the parliament. Nepali Congress formed the majority government.

In the newly formed democratic multi-party government, Nepali people pinned all their hopes and dreams for efforts in real favour of people and the country. They awaited change as never before. But the Nepali Congress started anti-people and anti-country activities as soon as it was in power. Thousands of hapless government employees were dismissed overnight. Rampant shooting of people, from 6-year old to elderly, became a normal routine with Nepali Congress. Repression of opposition and their imprisonment with false accusation was started as a nation-wide campaign. Inflation touched the sky. All development work halted completely. Nepali people could not find even a trace of change in political system, what they got instead was the replacement of the Panchayat tyranny with Congress tyranny. CPN (UML) launched several struggles against anti-people actions of the Congress government. Our Party succeeded in exposing the misdemeanour and anti-people actions of the Congress government a public struggle from street to parliament in favour of the people and country.

Patriotic Sisters and Brothers,

As the main opposition, our Party was successful to play a powerful role and was equal success in struggles outside the parliament. After the Fifth Convention of 2049 the Party adopted multi-party democracy as the unique programme of people's movement upon the leadership of people's leader Comrade Madan Bhandari, our Party was naturally strengthened pragmatically. Operating with fresh and original outlooks, CPN (UML) progressed further in terms of people's support and popularity. The Party marched ahead providing the mainstream leadership in the communist movement by unifying several communist fractions.

In recognition to the contribution made by our Party for the country and people and reflecting upon its policy, the people gave the verdict to CPN (UML) running the country. As a result, our Party was able to secure the highest number of seats in the mid-term election of 2051 BS and subsequently formed the government. In the very short tenure of only 9 months, the minority government of CPN (UML) was able to initiate original and historical activities for the best interest of people and the nation.

CPN (UML) had formed the government when the country was pushed down in abyss of crisis by the Nepali Congress. It was because of the right policy and direction of our Party that the country was able to move towards the direction of respite even in such a short time.

In June 1993 (Asad of 2051), The Congress government had presented the 051/52 national budget. When our Party was in the government, we presented the improvised budget in 26 December (Poush 11, 2051) with the target for national revenue raised by 11.6 percent or 2.61 billion more than estimated in the former budget. Accordingly, national revenue was generated up to 96.4 percent or 24.58 Billion. Within the six months from Magh 2051 to Asad 2052, the government of CPN (UML) was able to mobilise 16 Billion 719 Million and 600 thousand rupees which is more than 3.14 Billion compared to the budget prepared by the Nepali Congress government in fiscal year 2050/51. Foreign aid in cash amounted 366 Million 300 thousand in the Congress government in seven months while the CPN (UML) government in later seven months was able to mobilise 99.8 percent more of a foreign grant at 731 Million 800 thousand rupees. Due to the wrong economy policy of the congress government, a downhill was observed in each field of production while in the government of CPN (UML) a visible improvement was noticed. To upgrade the tax system, government of our Party had organised a tax evaluation working committee. During the rule of Nepali Congress, the inflation rate was up to 212 percent which was brought down to 5.8 percent during the time of CPN (UML).

During the three and a half year rule of the Nepali Congress, 73 citizens were killed while not a single incident of state homicide took place during the time of CPN (UML), no citizen lost their lives. Hundreds of civil servants who were dismissed on the basis of ideology by the Congress government got respite during the CPN (UML) time when they were called back to their jobs again. The government of our Party ensured the complete protection and promotion of human rights and started the process for establishment of the first ever-national level Human Rights Commission.

The CPN (UML) government was very successful in strengthening the national sovereignty and escalating the national pride. Then Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikari and Deputy Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal floored the need to review unequal Nepal-India Treaty of 1950 in front of the government of India. Before, no democratic government in Nepal had ever dared to raise this issue in bilateral talk between the two countries. CPN (UML) government was the first government in the history of Nepal to demand the review of this unequal treaty of 1950. Similarly, it was the same government which demanded the alternative transit to Bangladesh through the Fulbari route. Today Nepal has already been granted this transit on experimental basis.

Then Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikari floored the need to review unequal Nepal-India Treaty of 1950 in front of the government of India. Before, no democratic government in Nepal had dared to raise this issue in bilateral talk between the two countries.

The government of our party was equally successful in introducing new thoughts in development construction with the direct participation of people. The "build your own village' campaign introduced by the people and for the people brought the big wave of people's participation in development construction in the rural areas. With the government grant of 300 thousand to 1500 thousand, many development constructions were accomplished. Looking at the complete support of the people and the needs of rural areas, the CPN (UML) government raised the grant by 500 thousand rupees per VDC. This successful initiation of CPN (UML) was an effort at making the decentralisation a reality with the public at its supreme.

After the general election of 2051, the communist party formed the government for the first time in Nepal. In less than one month, the new government took a landmark decision to honour and support the elderly with a provision of social security in form of monthly allowance. This initiation has proved that CPN (UML) is the party with real respect and care for the elderly population, it has also made CPN (UML) the first political party in the history of Nepal to initiate social security provision in accordance to the concept of the welfare state. These efforts of CPN (UML) exposed the falsity of the accusation of anti-Communist forces, especially Nepali Congress which propagated that if communists got into power, all elderly people over the age 60 would be shot to death.

These effort of CPN (UML) exposed the falsity of the accusation of anti-Communist forces, especially Nepali Congress which publicised that if communists got into power, all elderly people over the age 60 would be shot to death.

In accordance to the commitment of CPN (UML) to realise the promise of land reform, a high level Land reform Commission was formed. The report submitted by this Commission will be the guidance for land reform activities of the future CON (UML) governments. Beside land reform, the CPN (UML) government had also formed a high level commission to resolve the problems of Kamaiya (debt bonded labour) and squatter settlements. The government had also outlined the development programmes for VDCs and constituencies. For a balanced and sustainable development, the CPN (UML) government had introduced the concept of a holistic development approach called "9S Development Campaign" which incorporated nine different sectors of development simultaneously and in co-ordination with each other. These nine sectors included: local roads, small irrigation, drinking water, education and literacy, accessible health, skill training and employment generation, community tree plantation, rural electrification through small hydroelectric plants, and cottage industry development. For the implementation of this 9S development policy, a minimum of 2 Million rupees were allocated for each constituency which came around total of more than 100 Million of development budget for each constituency. The UML government had planned to renew the grant each year for the continuation of development activities. Beside the amount allocated for this programme, special plan had been made for the rural development by which 5 Billion rupees could be directly available for rural development each year.

The UML government had also announced a diverse public upliftment programmes such as upliftment of the target groups and ethnic communities, village development through model village, elimination of illiteracy, poverty alleviation and employment generation, forestry in each VDC, etc. The UML government was the first government in Nepal to put forward the popular programmes like upliftment of oppressed ethnic groups and others.

Beside these, the UML government established scores of trusts, such as Madan-Asrit Memory Trust, Pushpalal Memory Trust, Martyr Gangalal Heart Disease Trust, Tanka Prasad Acharya Trust, Pasang Lhamu Trust etc. It started the process of honouring and regarding writers and artist and talents making special contribution to the nation. These efforts of the UML government generated lots of hope and enthusiasm among the people. The growing popularity of our party based on progressive programmes and people oriented activities were not tolerable to the anti-Communist powers. They became busy planting conspiracy to throw the popular government out of power and destroy those efforts for the people and the nation.

Particularly after Congress lead conspiracy to abort the popular UML government and reinstating instability, confusing and chaos in the national politics, our party decided to appeal for a fresh general election to form a stable government and to safeguard the national interest from further assault. Mr. Manmohan Adhikary, Prime Minster of the UML government, submitted the petition requesting for fresh election with the King on 25 Jestha 2052. Accordingly, there was a royal declaration to dismiss the House of Representatives and call for the new general election. But the Nepali Congress and other reactionary forces with their vested interest in creating chaos in the country through political instability became active in conspiracy to rule out even the decision declared by the King. Going against the democratic values, system and norms, and also going against the principles of the constitution, they debased the special authority of the Prime Minister. Respected constitutional body like the Supreme Court ruled out the controversial dismissal of the appeal of the Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikary for fresh election in 2052, while the same appeal of the Prime Minster Girija Prasad Koirala in 2051 was verdicted constitutionally valid by the same court during the rule of Nepali Congress. Due to this decision which was against provisions in both the Constitution and court, the House of Representatives was restored. It was a fateful decision which made a way to many misdemeanours, debauchery, perversions, confusion, chaos, instability and other crisis that griped the country in the following days.

The newly formed coalition government led by the Nepali Congress after the conspiracy led dismissal of the UML government began to play many dirty games in the name of consolidating the power and changing power equations. A whole series of hateful and debauched action was triggered off. Imprisonment of rival MPs, MPs buying and selling, ministers running away abroad in pretence of illness, buying off MPs through supplying of women and wine and criminalisation of politics, no stone was left unturned in the political scene. During the rule of Nepali Congress which had forced itself into the power after the conspiracy lead dismissal of the former government, a number of MPs contributed to destroy the whole image of parliament and parliament system. Claiming government money through forge bills and misuse of the diplomatic (red) passport, petty and debauched acts like this from the member of parliaments provided much awaited bait for the anti-democratic forces who dared to come out on the streets, openly raise voice against the democratic system and demand for the restoration of the tyrannical Panchayati political system.

If the general election had taken place according to the demand for stable government by the UML Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikary, the parliament, parliament members and the parliament system would not have lost their faces through the criminalisation of politics, misdemeanours and debauchery, buying and selling of the members, corruption and other amoral activities. The blame for discrediting and staining the image of parliament through hateful actions should be entirely borne by Nepali Congress party. It has already been proved that the decision taken by our party had taken in 2052 for the fresh election was the right and long sighted decision in the given political context for the best interest of the people and consolidation of values and dignity of the parliamentary system.

If the general election had taken place according to the demand for stable government by the UML Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikary, the parliament, parliament members and the parliament system would not have lost their faces through the criminalisation of politics, misdemeanours and debauchery, buying and selling of the members, corruption and other amoral activities.

The reactionary forces began to falter after CPN (UML) established itself as the main opposition with 69 seats in the general election of 2048. They began conspiracy to weaken the strength of our party. One such attempt was the Dasdhunga accident where the then General Secretary Com. Madan Bhandari and department Head Com. Jeev Raj Ashrit were assassinated. Turning the pain of the murder of our two major leaders into strong resolutions, CPN (UML) plunged itself into even more empowered politics. During the mid-election of 2051, UML was established as the biggest political party with 88 seats in the parliament. It also succeeded in forming a minority government.

Even after that, the reactionary elements kept on with their conspiracies. The 9-month old minority government was pulled down in a conspicuous and controversial manner. Within the party itself, opportunism, misdemeanour and infraction were forced to take root. It was not possible to fraction the whole party, only those MPs who were opportunists, aggressive and the fractionists, they fractionated themselves from the party and formed their own party group ML. This event of some opportunist and aggressive MPs fractionating them from the party was publicised as the division of the UML into two. But the volunteer retreat of few such opportunists does not mean that our party is divided and it does not affect it. UML will always fight against such elements and is moving ahead with even more empowered, broad and strong manner than ever before. The glorious victory of CPN (UML) in the election for National assembly in four constituencies, for DDC in 18 districts and VDC in 56 districts even after the retreat of some MPs from our parliament group, proves the status of the our party as a solid, undivided and still a major political power in the country.

For those who have separated themselves from our party as a result of some mistake, we are keeping our door open in case they want to come back to the UML. In fact, already many people have realised their mistake and have returned back to the party with full self-criticism. The new group that includes only the aggressive vested interest has already lost many of the former supporters and is in the process of being empty.

In the coming election, too, the only party with a possibility of scoring majority is the CPN (UML). With the full conviction that our party will form the government after the election. CPN(UML) has already declared honourable chairman of their party and popular prime minister of the 9-month UML government Mr. Manmohan Adhikary as its prime Minister of the new government too. Under his leadership, the party is organising for the election campaign and is already ascending towards the victory.

The glorious victory of CPN (UML) in the election for National assembly in four constituencies, for DDC in 18 districts and VDC in 56 districts even after the retreat of some MPs from our parliament group, proves the status of the our party as a solid, undivided and still a major political power in the country.

Our party, despite the ability to win the election on its own, still keeps a positive attitude towards other left parties. We have taken the decision to provide solidarity to the like-minded left parties. It has given rise to the possibility of other left forces reacting positively to the liberal and flexible policy of put party so that we can work together during the election campaign. It will even more secure our victory, as will spell the sure defeat for those fractionists, splits and anti-Communist elements. This is also the need of the hour.

During the election, Nepali Congress is our main rival. Others party are not the rivals of UML and they can not be.

It is almost nine years since the establishment of multi-party democracy. Among these nine years, almost seven years the country was ruled by the Nepal Congress or its lead government. As a political party to rule the country for the maximum period after the establishment of multi party democracy, has the Nepal Congress done one single action for the best interest of the nation and its people? Nepali people have not seen one single example of the deed of Nepali Congress which was for their best interest and those of the nation. Rather, Nepali Congress has positioned itself as a synonym to anti-nation, state killing, criminalisation of politics, corruption, inflation and tyranny. Nepali people recognise the Nepali Congress in such face only.

Our party, despite the ability to win the election on its own, still keeps a positive attitude towards other left parties. We have taken the decision to provide solidarity to the like-minded left parties.

There is no need to repeat that the ruling style of Nepali Congress is anti-people and anti-nation. This party has already made different governments - two-third majority, simple majority, minority and coalition, at different times. Nepali people are sick and tired of such Congress governments; they are absolutely in no mood anymore to be gain ruled by this party. This has already been indicated in the results of the mid-term election of 2051 and local election of 2054. It is because of the growing disillusionment and lack of faith of Nepali people, Nepali Congress is going only downslide in the last 40 years. Winning two third majority in the 2015 general election, the Congress could only muster simple majority in 2051 and was in second position in 2051. On the other hand, the performance of the communist in the last 40 years shows only continuous upswing.

The Communist Party had secured only 4 seats in the 2015 election. Coming to 2048, it was already able to win 69 seats. After that, in 2051 it was able to secure the number one position in the parliament with 88 seats defeating the Nepali Congress. It proves the tremendous faith of Nepali people on CPN (UML). Therefore, the victory of CPN (UML) in the forthcoming election in May 3, 1999 (20 Baisakh 2056) and setting of historical record in Communist movement, is unbeatable.

Why was the Congress unable to sustain its government up to its full tenure? What was the meaning of dismissing their own government to go for a mid-term election? It means only one this - the Nepali Congress government is unable to sustain a government even if they get a majority.

Still, Nepali Congress is shamelessly saying that their majority is needed for stable government. Had not the Nepali people entrusted them with the responsibility to create a stable government when they gave them majority votes in 2048? Why was the Congress unable to sustain its government up to its full tenure? What was the meaning of dismissing their own government to go for a mid-term election? It means only one this - the Nepali Congress government is unable to sustain a government even if they get a majority. So does it mean voting for the Congress to enable them to get majority, and then going for yet another mid-term election in one or two years? Nepali people do not want to invite such situation gain; they are not in favour of supporting the Nepali Congress into victory.

Respected Sisters and Brothers,

The established history of the communist movement in Nepal with its 50 year long struggle and revolution is rich with its glory and eminence. At this time, we are also celebrating the golden jubilee anniversary of our party. At this historical moment, it already seems possible that the communist movement of Nepal will move leap and bounds in the leadership of CPN (UML). The need of today is to lend surety to this possibility. Upon the goodwill, co-operation and strong support of the Nepali people, only CPN (UML) will be able to carry off this task not only as the mainstream of the communist movement of Nepal, but also as the focal point of the whole political scenario of the country.

The plan of actions put forward by the nine-month government of CPN (UML) were the only programmes which were really for the development and transformation of the nation. Nepali people wanted continuation, not the cancellation of those programmes. But the Nepali Congress governments cancelled all those activities and started to implement their own anti-people actions. Nepali people still desire for the continuation of those people and nation oriented activities stared by the UML during its 9-month governance. Our party is moving ahead with this very wish and feeling of people and it is already confirmed that UML will be the one to form the next government.

Our party does not believe in the practice of getting into the power by hook or crook. Government formation should be directed by principles and ethics. CPN (UML) is envisioning government formation which principally and ethically bound, and is clear and people oriented with no place for misdemeanour and perversity. It has already been made clear that how the government without the backing of principal and ethics can ruin the whole nation. For a political stability and best interest of the people and nation therefore there is no two way about the necessity of principally and ethically bound CPN (UML) government. The majority government of CPN (UML) is the need of today for political stability, effective governance, national sovereignty and development. Always committed and struggling for nation's well-being, democracy and the workers of the country, at this moment CPN (UML) promises to continue its commitment to the people and nation with its basic aim of creating equated economic and social structure and formation of public welfare state. It would also like to put forward a clear and pragmatic concept and commitment to the people in the important issues of stable government, progressive nationalism, national development, law and order, revolutionary land reform, welfare of the workers, price control, employment, elderly people allowance, "build your own village" public initiations, human rights, upliftment of oppressed ethnic communities, transparent administration, squatter problem resolution, protection of national industries and others. CPN (UML) appeals to all the Nepali people and the respected voters to cast their invaluable votes in the sun and to make the majority government of CPN (UML) in the forthcoming election.

You trust us with your majority vote; we are ready to shoulder the responsibility to change the face of this nation.

With hearty greetings,

Fagun 2055