BP On Monarchy, Nationalism And Democracy
At a time when Nepal has been passing through a very difficult time, B.P. Koirala’s new book stresses the importance of reconciliation to save the country
By KESHAB POUDEL
When Nepal has been passing through a very difficult phase for its survival as all the institutions of state: monarchy, army, political parties are badly shaken, legendary leader Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala’s recently published book Raja, Rastriyata Ra Rajniti (King, Nationalism and Politics), shows that Nepal has a strength to survive as an independent nation.
The book is transcription of a series of audio-taped interviews taken months before B.P. Koirala’s demise in March 1982.The interviews were conducted by well known senior advocate Ganesh Rash Sharma.
From importance of reconciliation between monarchy and democratic political parties and the role of external machination to its penetration in major sphere of society like in media, political parties and leadership, B.P. Koirala makes everything public. When he sees external power involved in dividing internal forces to weaken their strength, he does not see any sense in accusing the King alone.
B.P. Koirala said.” Our struggle is against King. Let us limit that. Let us create a framework. Let us confine that struggle, debate and differences within such a framework. Let us pay attention to external danger. Initially, I did not experience such dangers from outside. However, now I have considerable experience of that. Earlier the question of nationalism was secondary. Now, however, it has become our first priority,”
He argues the reconciliation and unity among Nepal ’s internal political forces is prerequisite to prevent the role of external power. Thus, Koirala stresses the need of reconciliation between monarchy and democratic force to overcome difficulties. Koirala argues,” No monarchy or democracy can survive unless the King has the requisite conscience and the democratic leadership has the necessary patience. Moreover, in the situation of Nepal , the state of Nepal will not exist without the monarchy.”
One can easily see what will happen in case of conflict between monarchy and democratic forces and how external power prevails when division between them further widens. In his word, the Poush 1 action of King’s Mahendra weakened the King, the people and the entire nation. B.P. said, “After that episode, not only did democracy cease to exist. The King, too, was weakened. Foreign forces were thereby provided the opportunity to become active in our politics.”
Koirala gives many examples when King-appointed prime minister like Dr. Tulsi Giri threatened the King not to give any concession. He argues how Dr. Giri, who has neither support of people nor any strength or army as the King had, was challenging the King. Where is Dr. Giri’s power base?
”Don’t you think that Nepali Congress or democratic side is surviving just on a person? If you have that belief, consider that Nepal shall not have any future and the democracy too shall have no future. If there is my importance and my relevance, it is because I stand on the essence of Nepalese nationalism if I don’t have essence of nationalism, what can I hold?”
Although he was put for more than eight years in prison after the King dissolved his government and parliament, B.P. Koirala has never given up the importance of monarchy in the context of Nepal . His whole theme in the book is about the strength of Nepal and its potential to survive as an independent nation amid accommodation, adjustment and reconciliation among traditional forces of monarchy as well as liberal democratic parties.
B.P. argues, “Monarchy is essential not because King has military and not to hail the King. Why is it essential? It is not essential for me and my party, it is necessary to all who want to preserve the country. I am not arguing for a repressive polity, else my demand for democracy would be rendered quite meaningless.”
”We are in very difficult situation. Our country, and our identity are in very difficult position and we need to preserve them. For that, we should not have bitter relations with those forces, for instance monarchy, which can save our country.”
”Monarchy’s basis should not be on force. If monarchy survives on force, his son should not get throne …. The king must understand this. Late King Mahendra did not understand this. He saw himself as a dictator and he tried to do everything on the basis of military. It was impossible. He dug out soil from the root of monarchy. I am filling soil on it.”
Regarding the double standard of communists, B.P. Koirala said, “Chinese line is pro-King and its agent is anti-king. It is not in line. I have seen many Naxalites working with Indian strategy. For example, Mohan Bikram’s head office was in Benaras and Pushpa Lal’s office and our office were also in Benaras. Except me and Girija, there was no one left who did not face police atrocities and got imprisoned. Almost all of us faced difficulties but police never harassed workers of these two groups. In the name, both of them were pro-Chinese and they called India as an expansionist force and they were free to speak such. Although we were not anti-Indian but just anti-King, we were not allowed to speak freely. Here are many Naxalites who were handled from Hindustan . Their headquarters are in India . Thus, the faces of those who are Naxalites claiming pro-Chinese must be unmasked.”
Among the P.M after 1951, BP was for the shortest period in power but he remains as the tallest in politics of Nepal till now. It was because of his ethical and principled stand in politics.
