Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Urges Maoist Cadres to Read 'Cuckooland,' Reflect on 'Bitter Truth' of Revolutionary Movement's Decline

KATHMANDU: Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Nepal Socialist Party, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, has made a striking public appeal to all levels of Maoist party leaders and cadres, urging them to read the controversial book 'Cuckooland' and reflect on the decline of their historical revolutionary movement.

In a recent Facebook post, Bhattarai stated that the book provides an unvarnished account of "how the historical revolutionary movement was eaten away by worms from within and headed towards a path of decline" after the Maoists joined the peace process and repeatedly became partners in government.

Challenging the conventional 'conspiracy theory' favored by traditional communist movements, which dismisses such revelations as an "imperialist conspiracy" against the "great leader," Bhattarai raised a pointed question. He asked the Maoist "particles" (cadres) how they would address the book’s discussion of the involvement of current King Charles of Britain and heads of state from other countries in similar scandals. He stressed that party members must seriously consider this reality.

The book in question, 'Cuckooland: Where the Rich Own the Truth' by investigative journalist Tom Burgis, is a work of non-fiction that explores how the global wealthy and powerful buy influence and control the truth. Reports suggest the book includes investigative trails related to corruption and cronyism in Nepal's post-conflict political landscape, with a path that led to Kathmandu and implicated figures linked to a former Maoist prime minister.

Bhattarai’s direct challenge to his former comrades highlights his continuing critique of the current state of Nepali politics and the perceived ideological and ethical decay within the former revolutionary party.