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Kathmandu Saturday May 05, 2001 Baishakh 22, 2058.
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Exit
honourably
The "sealed" questionnaire sent by
Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to Prime Minister Girija
Prasad Koirala is a golden opportunity for Koirala to make a graceful and honourable exit
and save the nation from further uncertainty and chaos, which it is now passing through.
The Prime Minister has defiantly questioned the CIAA’s right to raise questions over
cabinet decisions. The CIAA is a constitutional body that has set tasks to perform and in
so doing, it may have to question not only cabinet decisions but sometimes also the
motives behind the decisions. This is the least that an open and democratic society can
expect in the interest of transparency in the working of a "democratically
elected" government. The only occasion when denial of information to constitutional
bodies like the CIAA or to the press can be justified is when it comes to questions of
national security. And surely, in matters like the leasing of an aircraft, such
"national security interest" does not apply. If the Supreme Court ruled has in
the past on the secrecy of cabinet decisions, may be time has come for individuals or
public interest groups to somehow seek again the apex court’s opinion on the issue in
view of the changed times. In short, past ruling can hardly be an excuse for preventing
the CIAA from seeking material that has a direct bearing on an alleged corruption case.
Yet, despite Koirala’s exterior bravado,
the CIAA has provided him with an opportunity to render a service to the nation and end
the present political crisis that has gripped us for over two months now. First,
Koirala’s exit from the helm will facilitate talks with the Maoists who are refusing
to have any dealings with his government. Second, the opposition parties who have been
obstructing the smooth functioning of the government will be satisfied and end their
confrontation. And more important still, it will pave the way for a new generation leader
in the party and the government, who will be able to steer the nation away from the bleak
future, it is now heading towards. The nation is being made to pay a very heavy price to
keep Koirala at the helm "in the name of majority in a democracy". Except for
his cronies and blind supporters, no one wants him to continue.
Wise counsel demands that Koirala pave the way
for a new leadership by choosing the honourable exit.
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