NATIONAL 9 (Spotlight Weelky)]

Bold And Beautiful

Prime Minister Koirala confidently provides clarifications on the Lauda Air deal

By KESHAB POUDEL

Date: December 20, 2000
Venue: Public Accounts Committee (PAC)}
Subject: Lauda Air deal

Belying expectations, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala dominated the meeting convened by parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for clarifications on the government's stand on RNAC-Lauda Air deal.

Koirala : A moture and expression

Although PAC chairman Subhas Chandra Nembang and other members tried to provoke Koirala, the prime minister provided his clarifications clearly and concisely.

Six years ago when Koirala was summoned by the committee to clarify certain issues relating to the infamous Dhamija scandal, the affair was one-sided and the prime minister largely was on the defensive.

This time, too, the PAC members made every effort to press Koirala to reveal something more about the deal. But the prime minister's replies were not contradictory.

PAC members and UML MPs Ishwor Pokharel, Birodha Khatiwada, Krishna Lal Shrestha, United People Forum MP Pari Thapa and RPP MP Buddhiman Tamang aggressively put questions to the prime minister. But Koirala held his ground.

Interestingly, former foreign minister and RPP leader Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani and leader of Nepal Sadbhavana Party Hridayesh Tripathi, who are known for their tricky questions, were not present.

As Koirala entered the meeting hall, he appeared prepared for the volley of questions. With bold and strong words, Koirala gave clear and concise answers on questions related to violations of the committee's directives, irregularities in the Lauda deal and the right of institutions like PAC to intervene in matters considered to be within the purview of the executive branch.

Koirala said: "As far as recommendations, suggestions, advice or directives are concerned, if they are not against the law and the constitution and constitutional practice and are in the interest of the country and institutions, there could be or should be no objection or hesitation on the part of any government to accept and implement them."

When members turned to the specifics of the Lauda deal, the prime minister said, "As far as the disputed issue of the Lauda deal is concerned, all the details I have were put before the committee by the Minister of Culture and Tourism and Civil Aviation."

Koirala assured the PAC members that, if in the course of investigation by any of the competent agency or authority any irregularities and illegality was detected and any guilt on the part of any official was established, the government would not spare anybody from punishment.

The prime minister for the first time questioned whether the parliamentary committee could intervene in the work of the executive. "The most important thing, in my view, which has given rise to this controversy is the question of the power, function and jurisdiction of the parliamentary committees, including this committee, and the modus operandi of issuing directions.

It was Prime Minister Koirala's performance four years ago which boosted the morale of the PAC. But his latest expressions forced the PAC to review the limitations of its jurisdiction.

UML-MAOIST FRONT
Strange Alliance

The student wings of the CPN-UML and the Maoists join hands in opposing the education system

The emergence of strange political alliances is not unprecedented in Nepal. In the case of left politics, parties representing different ideologies tend to join hands on any issue at any time.

When the student outfits of the main opposition CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist united to shut down schools, suspicions were raised about the role of the CPN-UML. Interestingly, student wing of CPN-UML even joined with its arch rival CPN-ML.

The five student wings of various left political parties, including the All Nepal National Free Student Union ANNFSU (UML), ANNFSU -ML, ANNFSU (Revolutionary), ANNFSU (Sixth) and ANNFSU (2022) decided to launch an agitation against the what they call the commercialization of education.

The latest marriage of convenience seems to be guided by the top leadership of these parties. "We have agreed to hold a joint agitation because the commercialization of education concerns all of us," said Rajendra Rai, president of the UML's ANNFSU.

"We disagree with the way the CPN-Maoist harass the common citizens and oppose any kinds of violent move," said K.P.Oli, one of the powerful leaders of the CPN-UML.

In Nepali politics, these tactical alliances are used to destabilize the political or economic process. The democratic Congress Party joined hands with seven left parties in 1990 to overthrow the Panchayat system. RPP leader Lokendra Bahadur Chand, a staunch monarchist, became prime minister with backing of the CPN-UML in 1997.

It will not be surprising if the student wing of the Nepali Congress, not wanting to be perceived as timid in matters concerning education, shares the platform with left groups. If such an alliance takes place, the students will come up with arguments to justify it.