NATIONAL 1 (Spotlight Weekly)]

KRISHNA PRASAD BHATTARAI
A Decade Of Noted Remarks

Prime minister Bhattarai has been known as man of great wit

By KESHAB POUDEL

Following the public speech made in his first visit to the constituency that fulfilled his lifetime ambition to get elected to parliament and become elected Prime minister, Bhattarai is again on the peak of ridicule.

The reason? his outlandish statements, of course. But those who have watched him and his carrier closely are not amused. They say Bhattarai is still what he was when he started his political carrier five decades ago.

Age may have started to tell upon his health but Prime Minister Bhattarai remains evergreen as far as character is concerned.

The late NC leader, B.P. Koirala, recalls in his book "Atmabirtanta" and "Jail Journal" a number of incidents which show how jocular Bhattarai was even in prison. Bhattarai has not changed to date.

Ten years back Bhattarai, made similar witty statements but no body took serious note. Some of his statements which were made by Bhattarai during his first tenure as an interim prime minster.

Bhattarai Spoke In Birgunj 1999

Now

Bhattarai : Ever-green

I should not take bribe and minister Bal Bahadur K.C. should not do so either. But if clerks take bribe of Rs.50-100 after a hard day's work it should not be an issue.

I would not give this right to all other citizens but I would grant my constituents all the rights. If somebody from my constituency steals, I will try to defend him."

My Horoscope shows that I will be Prime Minister for 10 years. Now I don't smoke and am a teetotaller. I will become prime minister again and make you all the richest people in Asia. Kathmandu Post November 25, 1999.

We have 50,000 police and 50,000 army to maintain law and order in the country. In case of attack from China and India, Nepalese security will perish within three days. Himalaya Times, November 25, 1999

Then

The prices of essentials commodities will comedown 150 percent after ending trade and transit impasse with India.(Gorkhapatra June 1, 1990).

I will bring the water to Kathmandu Valley enough to flush the street of the city.Gorkhapatra, May 12 1991.

"We are people who are like the moon before dawn. This is the responsibility of youth now to lead the country. But, you are not allowed to speak today. 31 December 1990 Deshantar.

Shekh Saheb ( Shekh Idris) said Krishna Prasadji became old after working for such a long time. Actually, my age has not gone. I am just 67 years old. When Nepali Congress will win forthcoming elections, I will have respite. Then, I will think of my marriage. Still, many women wantit to marry me.

6 January, 1991 Deshantar

I will not be able to change the ass to cow even washing it for one full year. 12 May,1991.

Mangladevi is not only wife of Ganeshmanji but is also mother of Prakash Man Singh and sister-in-law of mine. Only then she is sister-in-law of all.

6 May, 1991, Deshantar.

I am here in Dharan but I have nothing to speak on. October 10, 1990

Nepali Journalists have a poor memory. They don't keep background files. Deshantar Weekly, January 1994