Bhattarai in deep trouble, but Koirala too does not have smooth path ahead

By A Staff Reporter

It is almost certain that Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai will go, even after someone like former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, considered one of Bhattarai’s most reliable confidante, has now said that he should retire.

After his hasty return from Australia, exasperated Deuba had initially vented his frustration on the plot to topple the government.

But he seems to have come to terms after he realised that the process for the ouster has already begun and Bhattarai, physically weak and deserted by his own cabinet members, has clearly lost the support of the majority of the party’s MPs.

It is a great set back for the Bhattarai government that the resignation of 11 ministers was accepted yesterday. The ministers who resigned are Ministers  Khum Bahadur Khadka, Govind Raj Joshi, Mahant Thakur, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav and Tarini Dutt Chataut. Similarly, the resignations of state ministers Surendra Prasad Chaudhari, Ram Bahadur Gurung, Mohammad Aftab Alam and Assistant ministers  Surendra Hamal, Narendra Bikram Nembang and Narayan Singh Pun have also been accepted.

Deuba and some others are, however, trying to find a way for an honourable goodbye for Prime Minister Bhattarai, who they say is the only living founder member of the party..

The meeting of the Nepali Congress’ parliamentary party this Saturday is also expected decide to give Bhattarai a way to make a face saving exit. Bhattarai is reported to have expressed his desire to resign in the parliament on health grounds.

The plot to topple the government suddenly surfaced last Wednesday when 58 MPs of the party registered a no confidence motion against the government last Wednesday. Two days later 11 of the ministers resigned, leaving Bhattarai virtually no chance.

Constitutional experts point out that even if Bhattarai is expelled as the leader of the parliamentary party, he could still retain the post of prime minister until he voluntarily resigns or the parliament forcefully ousts him. But that would be crossing all the limits of democratic norms. Now, there is no way out for Bhattarai than to step down.

Why should Bhattarai resign?

First of all the 8-month rule of Bhattarai was full of controversy and he had to face the opposition from his own party. Since the start of his prime ministership he failed to take the confidence of the powerful president of the party.

Then there were the problems of his cabinet colleagues, mainly from his own supporters, and Bhattarai could not discipline them. Like, he not only failed to take action against Bal Bahadur K.C. for his immoral actions, but he even supported him. Then it was Bhattarai himself, when he attended the parliament, who forgot something like his dress code and also his habit of making unresponsible remarks landed him in much controversy.

Lately, he could not justify himself about his interview to AFP, the French news agency. His habit of delaying decisions is another bone of contention against his government. For example, the reshuffle of the cabinet which was expected five months ago actually never came. When his own party was firing salvos against the government, he never made any serious efforts to counter them or go for the reforms the party wanted. Then there was the escalating Maoist problem and the government virtually did nothing except making some verbal assurances. Finally it was his health which failed him. So, at this moment any action by Bhattarai to still try to save his position would create further chaos and confusion.

Meanwhile, the action of the party and especially that of its president Koirala can not be considered justifiable as well.

What about the party’s action?

During the last 8 months, the party has also portrayed itself in a very bad light. First of all, it started opposing the government as soon as it was formed on the pretext that it was partisan in its outlook. Then instead of assisting the government, it came out openly against it. In fact, it acted more as the opposition rather than as the party whose leaders were in power. Finally, the party’s action of toppling its own government will be taken as a very bad example in the political history of the country.

For now, no matter what technical difficulties there may be, it is almost certain that the resignation of Bhattarai, will ensure Koirala will take over

Onus on Koirala

Bhattarai’s eight months in power was not all failure. Importantly, Bhattarai initiated the concept of talking with the Maoists, and it even proceeded ahead with the Deuba commission talking with the opposition parties. In the last eight months several advances have been made in the energy sector. For example Enron has shown interest again in coming to Nepal, and chances have also brightened for several other projects

With Koirala becoming prime minister he may have to face the same problem that Bhattarai and other Congress governments faced— non cooperation from the party. Even if Bhattarai’s supporters are few, they could still be a pain in the neck for Koirala. Koirala has been at the forefront of criticising Bhattarai for failing to address issues like the Maoist problem, corruption, price rise and quickening the pace of development. Now, the onus is on Koirala to succeed where Bhattarai failed - from finding a right balance in the government to law and order and economic development. If he does not succeed, no one can say that he will not face the same fate as Bhattarai.

Police posts sitting ducks for Maoists

By A Staff Reporter

The death of 15 policemen, with 20 others injured,  has shown that the police may be fighting a losing battle against the increasingly well-equipped and well-armed Maoist insurgents.

The deaths came when a group of more 200 Maoists with modern weapons attacked a police post at the Gharti Village of Rolpa district on Friday night.

Police sources say the Maoists were armed with automatic and other modern weapons. “They could also be armed with rocket launchers,” said a police official.

This is the single biggest casualty the police has suffered since the Maoists started their violent campaign four years ago. About two months ago the police had also suffered a big casualty when nine policemen were killed in a single attack in Jumla district. In the last one and a half months more than 50 policemen have died in confrontations with the Maoists.

This clearly shows that the police posts have become easy targets for the Maoists and the policemen sitting ducks. The insurgents usually outnumber and outgun the policemen. If the police themselves are not secure in their posts, there is little the people can expect from them.

However, a security expert said the police choosing the location for their posts and their positioning is defective if the enemy they have are like the Maoists. Recalling the death of fifteen policemen in a single ambush recently, shows the lack of training and expertise in strategy of the security personnel.

There is no doubt that the police casualty is primarily due to the result of them being poorly armed and poorly trained and without sufficient support. There are growing concerns that sending the green horns may be like cannon-feeding the Maoists. The growing casualty among the policemen have certainly shaken the police.

According to a reliable report, increasing number of policemen are afraid to go to the Maoists’ hot beds. Some of them may even be contemplating to resign than to risk their lives.

“Why go there to die,” said a policeman wanting to remain anonymous. There are many other who think the same way, he said.

The result of sending the unmotivated policemen without sufficient logistic and material backing may result in other serious repercussions. The irate, frustrated and even panicked policemen if they vent their anger on the common people, it will only demean the government in the eyes of the people. That is what the Maoists are looking for to bring more people into their fold.

However, the government has not yet come up with anything to avoid the growing casualty among its forces, except for some verbal condemnations.

Meanwhile, the government has also not yet responded to the Maoists’ indication that they might be willing to sit down for talks.

The chances of talks between the government and the Maoists have received a big setback with the government engaging in power struggle and the Maoists continuing with their violent campaign.

However, the change in the government, which looks almost certain, may again  push the Maoist issue back to square one.

The change in the government with Koirala at the helm of power and his hard-line stance could nullify whatever small inroads that have been made towards finding a negotiated solution to the problem.

Whose idea was it anyway?

By Dhana Thapa

The killing of fifteen police personnel by Maoist rebels was already another blow for the nation which is being terrorised by the insurgency problem. However it is absurd to see the way such mass casualties are being treated by the government authorities.

For example, whose idea was it to show long and gruesome footage of the recently attacked police post, with the dead and mutilated bodies of the policemen on NTV? While it emotionally disturbed a lot of ordinary viewers, it can be imagined what it did to the thousands of alarmed policemen who have to go on duty to the insurgency affected areas.

Nowhere in the world does any government show such footage, that could affect the morale of its security forces. Are the casualties suffered by Russian troops in Chechnya shown on Russian TV? Or do the Sri Lankans show the mauling its troops may have received at the hands of the Tamil Tigers? Did the Americans show the suffering of US soldiers in Vietnam and does neighbour India telecast setbacks in Kashmir on Doordarshan?

Television is a powerful medium, which if used properly, it can benefit the government, specially in a developing nation like Nepal. But at the same time if it is handled foolishly, like we have seen it happening now, then it could do immense damage to the powers that be and also to the whole nation.

Norvic-Escort to start Breast Disease clinic

By A Staff Reporter

After a major breakthrough in heart disease services, Norvic-Escorts Health Care and Research Center, a Chaudhary Group Company affiliated to New Delhi-based Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, is initiating a Clinic on Breast Diseases, a press release said.

In its bid to provide better health to all, the Center is conducting a free medical consultation camp at the Norvic-Escorts Health Care Centre, Thapathali on Sunday (February 27, 2000).

The medical camp will be attended by Mumbai-based reputed Consultant Oncosurgeon Dr. Arun Kumar Kurkure and Dr. Sanjay Navani, Surgical Pathologist and Immuno-histochemist from Breach Candy Hospital and Research Centre.

The one-day consultation camp was believed to enhance knowledge about breast-related disease in women. A major portion of Nepalese women are still unaware of various problems related to breast diseases and further complications it may give rise to, the press release said.

While the cases of breast cancer are on the rise, a large segment of Nepalese women still don’t know about the preliminary symptoms of breast diseases, the press release further added.

Likewise, the Centre is also organizing a medical symposium focusing on the use of new technologies in the treatment of Breast Diseases and Cancer on the same evening. On the occasion, visiting doctors Kurkure and Navani along with reputed Nepalese doctors, Dr. Anjani Kumar Sharma and Dr. Yogendra Prasad Singh will present working papers on various topics.

The symposium which will be participated in by Nepal’s major sergeons and physicians, should be able to provide a positive impact on the treatment of breast diseases and breast cancer.

Journalists should expose corruption

By A Staff Reporter

Journalists who are entrusted with the responsibility of keeping the people informed should not deviate from their duty of exposing corruption. This helps to a great extent in controling corruption at various levels,” said experts participating at a seminar on the “Role of Press in Corruption Control” organized by the Nepal Press Union Kathmandu on Sunday.

Corruption is a serious problem in the Nepalese society. It is rampat in all walks of life. However, it’s impact will be more serious when it is committed by the politicians, they opined.

“Political leaders should be honest in their efforts in bringing corruption under control,” said Nepali Congress Spokesman Narahari Acharya, while addressing the seminar. “Journalists should not hesitate to expose corruption, superstition and mafia activities taking place in our society,” he pointed out.

The Congress Party has already directed the government to work out a law on right to information, he said, adding that the bill on political parties is in the Parliament for the past six months, but it has not yet been disucssed, he revealed. He also wondered why the press was silent on that.

Speaking on the same occasion Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) spokesman Kamal Thapa pointed out that individual character, political atmosphere, leaders’ conduct and power-grabbing attitude of the political leaders have given rise to corruption.

RPP Spokesman Thapa also observed that efforts should be initiated from the government and people’s level to root out corruption. If journalists fail to present matters in an objective and factual manner, corruption control will be difficult, he said. 

Speaking at the same function, former chief comissioner of the Comission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) said that the CIAA could not execute its work satisfatorily due to lack of clear-cut policy and committment on the part of the government.

President of the Nepal Trade Union Congress Laxman Bahadur Basnet, MP Ramnath Adhikari, media advisor to the Ministry of Information and Communiation Purushottam Dahal and president of Nepal Press Union Kul Chandra Wagle also addressed the function which was presided over by the president of the Nepal Press Union Kathmandu district committee Gokarna Aryal.

Worst Home Minister in history

By A Staff Reporter

The Maoists insurgency has started to take terrifying tolls on the life of the policemen who have been sent to control the rebels. In recent months, dozens of policemen have died in daring raids of the Maoists.

Now the question in the minds of the alarmed people is, what is the government doing to control such violence and a break in the law and order situation in the country?

Going by the silence of the present Krishna Prasad led government, it seems nothing is being done. Except for the formation of a commission under the convenorship of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to seek for a resolution of the problem, the government seems to have done nothing.

Special mention must be made of Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka, who is seen only giving condolence messages at the death of the policemen. This man should have quit long time ago, when he was deemed incapable of looking after the sensitive Home Ministry. But no, he seems to be happy to stick to his chair, even when so many lives are being lost. Going by the present security problems the nation has seen in the last few months, then it can be said that Khadka has been the worst ever Home Minister in the country’s history. If he has even an iota of morality left in him, he should promptly quit from his post and demonstrate that moral responsibility and accountability still exist among our political leaders.

Healthy heart programme at Dharan

By A Staff Reporter

A talk programme entitled “Awareness regarding a healthy heart, today necessity”,  was organised at Dharan, a township in Eastern Nepal was organised recently.  Speaking on the occasion, consultant cardiologist at the Escorts Health Care and Research Centre Dr. Bharat Rawal shed light on different aspects of how heart diseases could be prevented at the programme.

A free heart care check-up was also provided at the programme which was organised by the Norvic-Escorts Health Care and Research Centre, Kathmandu and Rotary Club of Dharan at the Gita Bhawan. More than 125 people were provided check-up services on the occasion. Besides Dr. Bharat Rawal, Nursing Superintendent Mrs. Rameswari Shrestha, medical officer Dr. Biplav Yadav and other health workers participated in the free health camp.

Speaking on behalf of the Rotary Club, president Indra Bahadur Manandhar shed light on the positive aspects of the health camp. The newly elected president of the club Kisan Kumar Agrawal thanked the Norvic-Escorts Centre for the services provided by it.