Vamdev Gautam, a well-known leader in Nepali communist politics and former vice president of UML, has said that CPN will be absorbed into the unified socialist party only if he gets the status of a senior leader. A brief conversation by Ganga BC for Ekantipur with Gautam, who returned from decisive talks with Madhav Kumar Nepal, President of Unified Socialists, on Monday to merge the CPN Ekta Abhiyan into Unified Socialists:

Have you reached an agreement for unity with CPN-S?

We have agreed to unite. Discussions are being held to adjust the responsibilities of the leaders. As soon as that is met, there is unity.

Has it been agreed that you will become a senior leader of CPN S?

They (including Madhav Kumar Nepal) are ready to consider me as a senior leader. For that, it is necessary to amend the law. I do not agree to be a ceremonial senior leader. I have said that if there is to be unity, there must be a senior leader with solid responsibilities. I have thought of taking full responsibility and joining the nationwide race. They should be ready to give me concrete responsibility.

What is your formula for making a strong party?

After receiving full responsibility, I will go nationwide with my friends to make a dynamic and strong party. All the leaders should leave their homes and stay with the people until they become a strong party. You should listen to them. You have to serve the people. A leader should really become a servant of the people. Before that, you have to come up with a new idea and go on a campaign. I have that formula.

What kind of idea becomes a party?

Some problems have been seen in the governance structure of this arrangement. Because of this, the government kept changing. Due to this, instability has started in the country. The issue of the directly elected Executive President should be taken up with the people. A movement should be prepared for a directly elected executive president. Now it is not easy to go the way of directly electing the executive president.