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Kathmandu Monday May 07, 2001 Baishakh 24, 2058.
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PM Koirala refuses to quit
Struggle in NC intensifies
Post Report
KATHMANDU, May 6 – For the first time in the current
crisis triggered by the latest developments in the Lauda Air scandal, Prime Minister
Girija Prasad Koirala has publicly refused to step down from office.
"I will not resign," Koirala categorically stated
to journalists during a tea break in an economic programme in the capital on Sunday.
Koirala’s comments came one day after his bitter party rival, ex-PM Krishna Prasad
Bhattarai publicly asked Koirala to step down "for his deep involvement in the Lauda
deal".
Referring to Bhattarai’s call, Koirala on Sunday said:
"His (Bhattarai’s) job is to ask my resignation; mine is to refuse the
same."
When asked to comment on CIAA’s "sealed
questionnaire" sent to him, Koirala replied that he has already done his job.
"What they will do next, go and ask them."
The Prime Minister has come under intense pressure to quit
since the CIAA last week ordered him to furnish replies about his role in the Lauda Air
jet lease deal signed last year by Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation. The controversy is
taking a heated turn within the governing Nepali Congress after Bhattarai’s
uncharacteristically strong statement yesterday.
Some of the party leaders seem to have taken veteran leader
Bhattarai’s comments "very seriously". The internal conflict of the ruling
Nepali Congress (NC) is set to intensify after Bhattarai’s statement, according to
party leaders from both the prominent factions in the party.
"Bhattaraiji’s statement is indeed different in
tone and style compared to his previous statements," said influential party leader
Narhari Acharya, who is known as moderate in the party. "A senior leader like him who
wields so much influence in the party should never have uttered such a statement outside
the party forum."
Another leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, added
that Bhattarai could have asked for Congress parliamentary party or the working committee
meeting to raise such statements at this time. "Such statements will not only
adversely affect the PM and the party’s image but will also have an adverse impact on
Bhattarai himself."
The leader further said that even the anti-Koirala camp
which is eyeing power will not be helped in their cause. "Bhattarai’s statement
has ominous portents even for the anti-Koirala camp in the party. It smacks of extreme
line and bitterness."
Another minister of state close to PM Koirala said that the
PM’s supporters were closely watching the move of the opposite camp. "We have
nothing to worry as we are in a majority. However, if they try to reduce our numbers, we
will definitely make counter-moves." He added that there was no threat to the
government.
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