Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/437/5174
From The Socialist newspaper, 27 April 2006
Fears of revolution force concessions in Nepal
WEEKS OF heroic struggle by the people of Nepal have forced the tyrannical King Gyanendra to make concessions as he desperately tries to cling onto power. Facing a 2 million-strong march on 25 April, Gyanendra retreated further. Parliament, dissolved by the king four years ago, will be reinstated. Behind this move was also intense lobbying from India, fearing a revolutionary mass movement in the neighbouring country.
While demonstrators celebrated, the seven-party alliance (SPA) immediately called off the mass march and general strike. Girija Prasad Koirala, an 85-year old former prime minister (four times) from the Nepali Congress will head a new government.
However, according to reports, many protestors were in no mood to accept this climbdown. Having faced the regime's brutal repression, they are demanding an end to the monarchy and a republic.
The question now is whether the revolutionary movement will move ahead or be derailed by the SPA leadership. There is no doubt that the mass movement of the last few weeks aimed to go much further than the SPA leaders and has become increasingly radicalised.
Extracts from an article by Per-ake Westerlund, Committee for a Workers' International.
Full article is on www.socialistworld.net
For background article see last week's the socialist available online www.socialistparty.org.uk/2006/436
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In The Socialist 27 April 2006:
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Hewitt 'isolated from real world'
Socialist Party election campaign
Socialist ideas strike a chord
Education feature
Good quality schools for all, not just the few
1926 General Strike
Workers taste power by Peter Taaffe
Environment: Nuclear power
Is Blair leading Britain to nuclear catastrophe?
Campaign for a New Workers Party
Socialist Party workplace news
Public services not private profit
Taking the profits and running
Rail unions unite to defend pensions
International socialist news and analysis
Fears of revolution force concessions in Nepal
War looms after Colombo bombing in Sri Lanka
Anti-cuts alternative confirmed in Berlin city elections
High School students threatened with suspension for antiwar activity
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