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Mike Ely gives a short picture here. http://mikeely.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/nepals-autonomous-zones-how-might-this-serve-preparation-for-revolution/ My understanding is what the Maoists did after their initial upsurge that followed their removal from government in a "soft coup", was to go back to the poor communities and hold a big discussion n their own ranks and then through out the poor communities about the way forward, and began a process of strengthening from the ground up. There are dual power-type institutions set up by the Maoists as parallel governments in nine district apparently,with plans to extend them further (hence Kathmandu disrtict) The "taking"of Kathmandu fits into to this process - it is not an attempt (yet) to declare a counter national government, they declared the Kathmandu district an autonomous zone with a parallel government to the existing district authorities. Not just an autonomous zone, but for a national minority, the Newa people. They are seeking to extend this process throughout Nepal. Mike Ely also reports intensifying Maoist-led land seizures by peasants. My impression, taken from a cornade who spet a long time in Nepal with the Maoists lthis year, is that support for the Maoists has been growing signifiacntly in the aftermath of them leaving government, and they sought to patiently build organisation srtength based on this in the poor areas that are their stronghold and beyond. The government was seen as undemocratic and a pouppet of India and the US, "anti-national" and anti-democratic — a threat to to the hard fought popular victory in wining a republic. Last month (or maybe slightly earlier), they launched a new round of protests that shut Kathmandu down and stopped the government from meeting by blockading it. They similarly shut down other key institutions in the capital, around their demand that the president be sacked and his counter-order to the Maoists cancelling their moves against the army high command be rescinded. It was a very formidable show of strength, to which the existing government appeared helpless — the government had to meet in a secret location I don't (and can't) know the exact relationship of forces or the exact strategic and tactical plan the Maoists are working from, but it seems clear to me that they have massive and growing support and organisational strength — and they sought to avoid adventurism earlier this year with a premature insurrection. They appear to be laying the groundwork, politically and organisationally, for bigger moves. Even now, they are not taking the rad of direct insurrection, but creating counter-powers based ont he poor throughout the country. Whether it i right or wrong, I guess we will see. Stuart ________________________________________________ Send list submissions to: Marxism@lists.econ.utah.edu Set your options at: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
