POREG VIEW:  The Maoist Moneygate has surfaced on the eve of the sixth round of Prime Ministerial election. Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prachanda, nurses the ambitions of becoming PM again. Simple majority in the 601-member house eluded him in the earlier rounds.

So, there is an element of desperation in the Maoist camp. Last month (August), the Maoists had won over an MP from the rival camp but it did not lead to more defections. Instead, it brought ridicule to the Maoists.

Classic Chankya line is that if threats and intimidations don’t work, then bribe your way through. This is what the Maoists are set out to do going by the sting operation that had led to recording of two telephone talks between Krishna Bahadur Mahara, and an unnamed Chinese official.

Mahara heads the foreign cell of UCPN (Maoist) and knows his way on the diplomatic highway. Veracity of the tape can be established only after a proper probe.

But NRs 500 million Mahara was heard asking for to bribe 50 MP is not big money. It however confirms the view that has gained currency over the past year that the Maoists are ever ready to stoop to conquer power – yesterday through the barrel of the gun; today through the power of the wallet.

No surprise, therefore, they are adamant on issues like integration of erstwhile guerillas into the army.