OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

"NDC Includes Everyone From Police, Army, Civil Servants And Even NSU"— Girija Prasad Koirala

Prime Minister GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRALA is busy these days drumming up the support for his ideas to activate National Defence Council (NDC). Koirala revealed a number of interesting issues when he addressed the meeting of Nepal Students Union (NSU) last Tuesday. Prime Minister Koirala also elaborated his idea to activate NDC. Excerpts:

What does it mean to activate NDC?

Nobody needs to get panicked by the activation of NDC as it is a normal matter. NDC includes everyone from police, army and civil servants. It even includes NSU. Activation of security council means mobilization of all these institutions to protect common citizens.

Why does it need to be activated?

NDC needs to be activated in order to guarantee security to the people and restore law and order in the country. This government wants to activate civil servants, political parties and people under the NDC.

Do you mean to say NDC will be used against Maoists?

It is just a small portion. Under the NDC, we can solve all other problems concerning national security, poverty and development.

Is it possible to solve the Maoists problem by mobilizing the NDC?

Finance Ministry will also announce certain relief packages in the Maoist affected areas. I don't understand why political parties became so much nervous when I talked of activating NDC.

What step the government will take, then?

The government wants to bring all different sectors under a single security umbrella.

DPM Turns Rich

Poudel : Favorable balance sheet

Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel declared that he has added two houses and a small piece of land in the last one decade. The conclusions drawn after evaluating the property declaration by Poudel in 1990 and 2000 has ired the Deputy PM. Poudel accused media for sensationalizing his property issue while confessing that he has earned some property during the last ten years. Poudel said he added his property by saving his travel and daily allowances while on foreign visit. It is strange that in ten years a man can save one million rupees from his per diem allowances on foreign jaunts. It seems it will be a good idea to make poor people of Nepal ministers turn by turn for a specific period -- this could be a good way to alleviate poverty from the country.

Comrades In Action

Unlike his character, CPN-ML leader Bamdev Gautam filed a defamation case in the district court demanding compensation from his former party colleagues Madhav Kumar Nepal, K.P. Sharma Oli, Ishwor Pokhrel and Pradeep Nepal. Gautam argued that CPN-UML leaders have engaged in character assassination. Although CPN-UML leaders, who have branded themselves spotlessly clean and honest, chose to declare the names of corrupt from the Open Theater, it was Gautam, known for his anarchist inclination, who is following the right course by knocking the doors of the court. This is the Nepalese communist politics.

Bhattarai Licks His Wound

Bhattarai : Fond hopes

Bhattarai is fond of making jokes. Wherever he goes he likes to regale his audience with jokes. But sometimes, jocular Bhattarai turns philosophical and talks about his life and spiritualism. Nearly a month after being evicted from the chair of Prime Minister, Bhattari recently made a clean breast about the circumstances surrounding his dramatic departure. He alleged Girija Prasad Koirala as the culprit behind his eviction. Bhattarai declared he will have enough members with him sometime in future to overthrow Koirala out of office. Bhattarai also disclosed that he will become Prime Minister once again. Whether this septuagenarian's dream come true remains to be seen?

Silverscreen On Fire

The new year has promised to bring a rich harvest for the Nepalese film industry. In an industry, which is known to produce not more than 40 films a year, this Baisakh (April-May) month alone will witness the release of 20 odd films. From critically acclaimed Chameli to Karishma's Dhukdhuki, a score of films are in the pipeline waiting to hit the theaters in the country.