The highly sensitive geopolitical positioning of Nepal, sandwiched between India and China, is one of the important factors for the timely transition of the Maoist party, Naya Shakti Nepal Coordinator Baburam Bhattarai said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a seminar organised by the India Foundation in New Delhi, the former prime minister said a prolonged armed conflict could have had a spill-over effect in the neighbourhood, leading to serious conflagration in the region.

Bhattarai, who severed ties with the Maoist party in September last year following the promulgation of the constitution, added: “In cases of ‘complete win-lose’ or ‘zero-sum’ conflicts, a new constitution can become the symbol of a new political beginning after the past regime is brought to an end. Political theorists call this the ‘replacement model’. But political conflicts may often also end in a stalemate without any side emerging as a clear winner or loser.”

“In such cases, constitution making can become a part of a peace pact or ceasefire agreement,” he said. “The constitution could then be an outcome of a negotiated pact or a compromise between the past rulers and the new political force.”

Bhattarai’s India visit this time is the first after he announced his own party. 

During his stay in the Indian capital, Bhattarai is expected to meet Indian minister and leaders.

During the meetings, Bhattarai is likely to pitch the purpose of forming a new party. 

In his address also, he tried to make a case for the need of a “new political force” in Nepal. 

“The tasks of democratic transition is a continuous process of progression. So, even though creation of new political institutions and constitutional remedies are crucial aspects, a nation must always make relentless efforts to continuously democratise its relationship with its people,” he said. 

The new mission that I have recently embarked upon is guided by this very understanding. The idea of Naya Shakti not only as an alternative political party but also as a movement for deepening democracy is a natural corollary to transition from bullet to ballot.”