Nepali Times

"May Day will be a historic day"

Interview with Shalikram Jamarkattel, President of the All Nepal Federation of Trade Unions, in Janadesh, 27 April

From the Nepali Press
From The Nepali Press | From Issue #500 (April 30 - May 6, 2010)

KIRAN PANDAY
What kind of demonstration is it going to be on 1 May?
We have two programs: celebration of May Day and launching of the 'people's revolt'. The Maoists have announced the 'people's revolt' to coincide with May day. It is therefore going to be a historic day. This movement is aimed at dissolving the 'puppet' government and forming a national unity government under Maoist leadership as well as to achieve peace and write the constitution.

Are the Maoists planning to capture power in the name of May Day?
The Maoists have not said they will capture power just yet. This protest is for civilian supremacy, dissolution of the puppet government, national unity government under Maoist leadership, peace and the constitution. Constitution-writing and the peace process will not be completed under this government. The political parties in power and reactionaries are exaggerating a peaceful protest. They are afraid of people taking to the streets. This will be a show of strength by the Maoists.

Is it going to be a 'people's revolt' or a demonstration on the day?
We will take rallies from major junctures of the city that will converge into a mass gathering in the open air theatre in Tundikhel. Chairman Prachanda will address the gathering. If the puppet government does not step down and allow the Maoists to lead the government, then a program of agitation will be announced from the same place.

What do you say to the remark that industries are being forced to close down and some are even investing abroad due to the labour problem?
This is not true. Those who do not want labour to unite spread rumours. There are two reasons for closure of industries: wrong policy of the government and wrong activities of the industrialists themselves.

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