by Kalpit Parajuli

A spokesperson for the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist makes the announcement at the party's convention. Delegates from foreign Communist parties cannot hide their surprise. Nepal's geopolitical situation required an economic revolution.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Nepal is leaving Communism behind in favour of capitalism, this according to Agni Sapkota, spokesperson for the ruling Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist.

"The global context and our local geo-political reality shows that socialism and communism will not benefit the country," he told the party's seventh convention. With this in mind, Maoists will now undertake a "peaceful transformation".

At the first convention in 21 years, the party re-elected Pushpa Kamal Dahal as its chairman. In accepting his nomination, he called on party officials "to fight together to boost the country's economy and bring prosperity to the poor."

Delegates from foreign Communist parties welcomed the decision to undergo a "peaceful transformation" and give up extremist Maoist positions. However, many also voiced surprise at the party's decision to go capitalist.

 

• nepal
• communist
• party
• maoist
• convention
• capitalism