MAHAKALI TREATY: ANOTHER SELL-OUT OF WATER RESOURCES IN NEPAL

The blatant manifestation of domination of Indian Expansionism at one hand and the total surrender to the Indian big brother at the other, is nowhere more clearly seen than in the sell-out of Nepal's natural resources, mainly water resource to India. Although Nepal is second poorest country in the world, it has the capacity to produce second highest amount of electricity (equivalent to the total capacity of electricity produced by Mexico, USA and Canada combined). However the ruling classes of India have been systematically harnessing Nepal's water resource at the cost of Nepal's interests and priority. Kosi Agreement 1954, Gandaki Agreement 1959, Tanakpur Treaty 1991 and the latest Mahakali Treaty 1996 provide the best examples of this usurpation. It may be noted that Kosi, Gandaki & Karnali are the three major river basins in Nepal). While Kosi Agreement, Gandaki Agreement and Tanakpur Treaty reflect semi-colonial mode of usurpation done almost unilaterally without any role of Nepal in them, the recently concluded Mahakali Treaty represents a more subtle and more dangerous form of neo-colonial domination. While Mahakali integrated Development Project (MIDP) does not fall under Nepal's priority but is essential for the Indian monopoly bourgeoisie, a foreign debt of Rs. 250 billion (equivalent of five years of annual budget of Nepal) is thrust upon Nepal as the cost of this project. And Nepal is forced to sell electricity at throw-away price. It is worthwhile to mention that Arun III, another multipurpose project in Eastern part of Nepal was rejected on the ground that it was expensive amounting to Rs. 54 billion (i.e. almost 1/ 5th of the total expenditure of MIDP project). It was to be financed by the World Bank and India had no involvement & interest in this project. However the MIDP project was not only supported by the ruling Congress lead coalition government but even the main opposition party, the UML. This only proves that the Indian ruling classes have a better grip over the Nepalese politics than other imperialist powers. No wonder that imperialist countries like the USA & UK joined hands with the Indian ruling classes to get the Mahakali Treaty ratified by the two-third majority in the Nepalese parliament in September last.

The CPN (Maoist) and other patriotic and democratic forces have opposed this Treaty from the very beginning and have mobilised the masses and public opinion against it. A Nepal Bandh (general strike) called on December 12 by the National People's Movement Coordination's Committee and actively supported by the CPN (Maoist) to protest against the ratification of this Treaty and other current issues including state repression etc. was a grand success.

FURTHER DEGENERATION OF THE UML CLIQUE

It is no wonder that the UML clique is terrified by the protracted people's war led by CPN (Maoist), and is hence several steps ahead of other reactionary forces in condemning it as a 'terrorist' act & 'a danger to the parliamentary system'.

NEO - REVISIONIST TIRADE AGAINST RIM

The neo-revisionist 'Mashal' group has for some time launched a vituperative campaign against the Revolutionary Internationalist Movement (RIM) and its participating member Parties to hide Its degeneration into open reformism and parliamentarism. Through its legal publications and open press statements it has not only sought to smear RIM as a 'Trotskyite' formation, but has done honorary service to the reactionaries and imperialists by making public sensitive informations about this important international body.

It is well-known that some time back the Committee of the RIM (CORIM) had in a very polite manner suggested the 'Mashal' group to voluntarily opt out of the international body because of its (i.e. Mashal's) deviation beyond redemption from the ideological - political foundations of the RIM. However, instead of attempting to rectify its deviations or withdrawing gracefully from the international body it shamelessly mounted a public mud - slinging campaign against the RIM to the delight of the reactionaries and opportunists the world over.

Even a mere literate of revolutionary Marxism and the international communist movement should easily discern the essence of neo-revisionism practiced by the 'Mashal' group In the spheres of ideology, politics and organisation and its irreconcilable contradictions with the RIM and other participating member Parties. In the sphere of ideology, its blind opposition to 'Maoism' is virtually turning into its abandonment of 'Mao Thought' as well. To argue that 'Maoism' downgrades or negates 'Leninism' is mere sophistry. To pit one authority of the proletarian class against the other has been an old trademark of the opportunists. Similarly in the sphere of politics its aversion to all kinds of people's wars or armed struggles, its never-ending obsession with legalism and parliamentarism and its tailing behind the neo-reactionary UML clique in Nepal, is an open secret. Organisationally, its legalistic form and ever decreasing size is known to all. Against this naked reality its insistence neither to mend its ways nor to leave the company of revolutionaries at the world level is just ridiculous.

It is really amusing to note that rather than to look inside oneself to locate the causes of one's degeneration the 'Mashal' group has sought to denigrate RIM and its participating Parties as taking to 'Trotskyism'. Doesn't it remind everybody of the proverbial 'fox' cursing the 'sour grapes'? If at all the RIM has turned 'Trotskyite', then why should a self-professed 'revolutionary' organisation like 'Mashal' be wishing to be glued with it?

In the context of the increased importance and revolutionary role of the RIM In the international communist movement it is hightime that it is cleared of neo-revisionist pests like 'Mashal' and its revolutionary base widened steadily.