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VOL. 27, NO. 30, April 04, 2008 (Chaitra 22 2064 B.S.)
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"People Will Vote Us To Challenge SPA"
Jog Meher Shrestha
Veteran politician and Rastriya Prajatanatra Party (RPP) leader JOG MEHER SHRESTHA has had a long innings in politics. This time Shrestha is now contesting the election under proportional representation. Kathmandu-based leader Shrestha spoke to SPOTLIGHT on the position of his party. Excerpts:
How do you see the overall election campaigns?
There is a completely one-sided election campaigns. Our candidates from various parts of the country are threatened by Young Communist League (YCL). In many districts, our party offices were vandalized but the administration remained a silent spectator.
In the context of growing violence and intimidation, how do you see the prospects for peaceful and impartial election?
If the government does not control YCL, I don't think the election will be peaceful and impartial. At a time when candidates of Nepali Congress and CPN-UML are unsafe in the hand of Maoists, how can I claim that our party candidates are safe and how can I see the possibility of peaceful election?
Have your party leaders received any threat?
Our party president Pashupati Sumsher Rana was attacked a few weeks back. Our supporters were kidnapped in Sindhupalchowk, Chitwan and other districts. Our supporters have been receiving threats from Maoists who have threatened them not to vote.
Have you filed complaints against such acts?
We have filed a number of complaints but the concerned authorities do not take actions. Election Commission needs to be more vigilant over growing acts of violence. The EC must ask political parties to abide by the code of conduct.
At a time when there is a division among your former colleagues, how do you see the position of RPP?
Rastriya Prajatantra Party is the mainstream party and all others are splinters. We will secure a good position in the election. Our position will be much better than that of others. This party was formed 15 years ago and it has nationwide influence.
Is there any possibility for electoral alliance?
The time is already past for such alliance. We have to now rely on the wisdom of voters.
Don't you think that division among parties with same ideology may reduce the possibility of winning the election?
Of course, it will reduce our percentage of votes but it is not going to make any major difference to our party. We will have comfortable position in coming assembly.
As your party is contesting the election raising similar stand on monarchy like other mainstream parties, what remains there for voters to support your party?
We are still neutral about the issue of monarchy. We believe that there is a need to hold the referendum to take decision on future of monarchy. The question should be decided on the basis of opinion of the people. So far as ideology of our party is concerned, it is a centrist, liberal and democratic party. At a time when there is hegemony of seven party alliance, who are contesting the election by misusing state machinery, people will vote us to challenge them. People are responding very positively to our party. If we are allowed to campaign freely and our party supporters are not threatened, we will have much better position.
How many seats do you expect to win?
Our party will win a large number of seats in first-past-post system as well as in proportional representation.
What is the basis of your assumption?
It is based on response of the voters.
When three major political parties NC, CPN-UML and Maoists are dominating the election campaigns, how do you find your space?
Publicity given in the newspapers is very biased and they are just focusing on three parties. If you judge political outcome on the basis of media coverage, you will be on the wrong side.
What is going to be the priority of RPP?
Our priority will be to bring peace and stability in the country as well as give equal opportunity to Madhesis, Janjatis and Dalits. After the election, the country will not be similar again as it will be divided on the basis of federalism. We don't want to impose anything on people. Now it is up to the people to choose their own destiny.
How do you see the election in a different kind of political set up?
Election is always election. It is unpredictable as people are the supreme to decide the fate of election.
