After the CPN (Maoist) merged with other constituents, the then Maoist leader Janardan Sharma left the merger and announced a new party along with a few other leaders - the Progressive Democratic Party. Sharma is a candidate for the 21 Falgun House of Representatives election from Rukum West. Kantipur's Kulchandra Neupane, Vivek Pokharel and Mahesh KC spoke to Sharma:

You have not left the district and constituency since you registered your candidacy, have you?

Yes. Right now, I am focused on my constituency. There are still 10-12 wards and villages to reach. Talking to the people of the neighborhood, I have been able to understand their problems and hopes in detail.

You have made a name for yourself in this area by contesting elections for a long time. But how did it come to be that you have to go door to door and speak your mind again?

Leaders may have different things, but reaching out to the people also means listening to them. There is also the idea that it would be a sin if the people did not vote for me. The people are saying that I have done a lot for this sector, not me.

In the past, there was an identity called Maoist. But this time, that is not there either. How difficult is it to walk around with a new identity?

Where is the Maoist? The Maoist has been dissolved by Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda. We tried to save it, but we did not get recognition from the Election Commission. We did not have a majority to divide and make it Maoist. We needed 40 percent to embrace it, but it was not enough. We did not get to fight any more because we had to go to the elections. The Election Commission has put it on hold for a year.

Do the people want Maoists or not?

There is no search at the public level, but the leaders and those in the leadership showed interest and concern about why the Maoists were dissolved. The ones who ran away the most called me a fugitive. Where did I run away to Siraha, Chitwan, Rolpa and Kathmandu?

Is an organization needed to win the election or not?

Why win the election? That may also have a purpose. But you cannot support the wrong thing by winning the election. It is not just my opinion. Jhalanath Khanal himself called and said that he will not listen to others who follow Prachanda's orders. I left after collaborating with Prachanda for 43 years and experiencing it. Today, Haribol Gajurel, the former Chief Minister, has been taken into action. They said to implement the law.

I have not left the party. Madhav merged the party with the Nepalis after meeting Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He came on a separate path because he could not go together.

Did you join Baburam Bhattarai's party?

No. We have formed a new party. There are also former Maoist friends there. If Baburam Bhattarai was in this party, then the party's rules should apply. He gave his candidacy in Gorkha and later withdrew it, but we did not take action. That is why he is independent.

How did the Maoists reach a state of dissolution?

I told the then chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda that the party was corrupt, let's purify it. I told him why there was distortion within the party, let's investigate it. I told him to form a committee led by independent people outside the party and take action if there was anything wrong, from property to deviation. But no one was ready since then, Chairman Dahal. I said let's implement democratic practices and elections within the party. But instead of holding a general convention, Madhav Nepal has changed his name. I said let's hold a general convention within the party and unite.

Now there are no Maoists and their legacy in the country?

Now the legacy will be carried by the leaders. Now our agenda is good governance and development. We must empower the people and end poverty and establish good governance by removing social discrimination. In this, not only individuals but also the community should be brought forward. After the dissolution of the Maoists, the Progressive Democratic Party now carries its legacy. It also takes responsibility for the principles of the Maoists in the past.

What agenda are you taking with you when you go door to door now?

We have basically talked about development and good governance. The road network has not reached all areas. Due to lack of water, we have to go very far. There is an agenda to accelerate the past work of expanding the Ujjala Rukum program. The buildings of the schools have been built, but the quality of education in them also needs to be improved. Health posts have been built. Many roads have been opened and they need to be upgraded. Similarly, we need to move forward economically. We have raised issues ranging from IT centers in Rukum to ending poverty and eliminating social discrimination.

Who will the people vote for?

Candidates from Nepali Congress, UML, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to Ujjala Nepal are in the fray in this area. But Janardan Sharma has some basis. That basis is the relationship with the people. I am ahead on this basis.

Have you collaborated with UML? Why is it necessary?

Collaboration with UML was necessary and it was done. Others can also support . This is due to the current and local needs . It cannot be accepted otherwise .

You said that you would take the youth forward and you became the candidate yourself ?

You became the candidate after the people said that Janardan Sharma could not leave . I had tried to take the youth forward, but the people said that you could not leave, so I came to the election field . We have taken the youth forward in other areas . While giving opportunities to the youth, we also need mature people . Experience is also needed . This is my last term . It is not possible to hand over now, but now  I have said that I will not be a candidate .

What is the basis for winning the election and what kind of party do you expect to become ?