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Kathmandu,Friday February 18, 2000 Fagun 06, 2056.
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Make way to 2nd generation
The petition filed at the Nepali
Congress parliamentary party office bearing the signatures of 58 NC MPs seeking Prime
Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai’s removal has once again brought on a crisis for
the government. Two reasons justifying this move are the government’s inefficiency
and corruption but one more reason, namely, the prime minister’s poor health, could
also be added to the list. Truly, on all counts the government has failed, but if
Bhattarai is to be ousted, then it should not be to make way for his long time rival
Girija Prasad Koirala, the NC party president because such a development would defeat the
oft reiterated promise—made by the two septuagenarian leaders—to effect
transition of leadership to the next generation of NC leaders.
It ought to be recalled here
that a little over two months ago, a similar crisis had erupted. However, an agreement
between Bhattarai and Koirala had averted the crisis. At that time the former had agreed
to step down after the winter session of parliament scheduled for March 1 citing reasons
of failing health. However, Ram Chandra Poudel’s appointment as Deputy Prime Minister
was seen as an attempt on the part of Bhattarai to consolidate his position. This explains
the present rebellion within the NC just two weeks before the winter session. Though at
this stage, there is no telling whether the petition will lead to Bhattarai’s
removal, it will certainly be interesting to see whether Bhattarai resigns as he should,
or goes down fighting or survives the revolt. But this is not the point being made here.
It is indeed unfortunate that NC
politics has largely been determined by the longstanding rivalry between the Bhattarai and
Koirala factions because the resulting instability has had profound adverse impacts on the
country’s governance and development. Both the ageing leaders must therefore quit in
the greater interest of the country. Since a long time, there have been calls to hand over
power to second generation party leaders, and there is no dearth of them waiting in the
wings. Yet, both Bhattarai and Koirala cling on to their positions. The former’s
position is as insecure as ever while the latter enjoys a vice-like grip over party
affairs. As a result of this situation, the party is losing its dynamism, and the
government has virtually lost its capacity to govern and deliver.
The only solution in this
situation appears to be a graceful exit for both leaders. There must be a consensus second
generation candidate for the post of prime minister who is honest, dynamic, who can end
the divide within the NC and also fight corruption. The same criteria should also apply
for the post of NC president. Unless this happens the Nepali Congress as a ruling party
will never be able to deliver.
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