KATHMANDU: Janardhan Sharma, Deputy General Secretary of the Maoist Center, has proposed a significant shift in party leadership to adapt to new circumstances and honor past contributions. Sharma suggested transferring leadership to a “third generation” while retaining Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda as a guardian figure. His plan includes dissolving the current central committee and forming a conference organizing committee, chaired by Prachanda, to oversee the election of new leaders through direct voting.

Sharma’s proposal highlights a need for increased awareness and adaptation within the party. He argues that the current hierarchical model is outdated and contradicts the party’s principles of collective leadership. Sharma criticized the shift from collective to individual leadership and the party's failure to evolve its organizational structure post-peace agreement. He believes this has led to a decline in public support and organizational strength.

The Deputy General Secretary also questioned the Maoist Center’s commitment to socialism, criticizing its abstract slogans and neoliberal policies that fail to resonate with the public. He noted the gap between the party’s socialist aims and its prevailing neoliberal practices, and emphasized the need for integration of organizational units into productive entities and ideological clarity.

Sharma proposed several reforms, including limiting the size of provincial councils and preparing for potential constitutional amendments. He also called for the development of programs to build public opinion on issues such as directly elected executives and state restructuring. His 16-point proposal aims to define the party’s socialist-oriented economy, clarify its stance on neoliberalism, and focus on local governance and good governance.

Additionally, Sharma highlighted the decline in the party’s public support and organizational strength, attributing it to unmet promises and ineffective slogans. He criticized the current leadership for living opulently and being detached from grassroots concerns. Sharma’s proposals seek to address these issues and reinvigorate the party’s commitment to its socialist principles and effective governance.