OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

Dr. Khadka's Inspection

Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai seems to be losing confidence in his ministers. Last week, when Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Bijaya Kumar Gacchadar was presenting the report of the committee formed to probe the IC 814 hijack incident to the press, Prime Minister Bhattarai sent his principal secretary Dr. Narayan Khadka to inspect security arrangements at the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA). This points Bhattarai's apparent lack of confidence on his minister. Who is supreme in Tourism Ministry -Dr. Khadka or Gacchadar?

Powerful Kapali Sisters

Upadhyaya : Who wields the real power.

Who is most powerful in Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai's kitchen cabinet? Although most would name persons like Yog Prasad Upadhyaya, Omkar Shrestha, Basu Risal or principal secretary Dr. Narayan Khadka, the real power seems to be somewhere else. Only few point to two ladies surrounding Bhattarai. It may be strange but Bhattarai's personal secretary Amita Kapali and Home and Information Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka's housemaid Babita Kapali are reported to be the two most powerful ladies in Baluwatar. Unbelievably, Kapali sisters can now change the fate of even all powerful Congressman. If the anyone wishes to be close to the septuagenarian Bhattarai, he/she will have to win the hearts of Kapali sisters first. Failure to make Kapali duo happy could mean the end of career for any politician in Nepali Congress in the Bhattarai regime.

Political Sickness

After a couple of days of rest, Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai appeared in public. On the early morning of Tuesday last week, Bhattarai inaugurated general meeting of Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) and attended reception of marriage ceremony of prince Paras Shah, son of Prince Gyanendra. Following his disagreement with party president Girija Prasad Koirala over cabinet reshuffle, disgruntled Bhattarai did not attend office complaining of spinal pain. Some see Bhattarai's recent sickness was triggered by political tensions rather than physical ones. Bhattarai took rest at his residence to avoid angry party workers.

Head-less Offices

At present, four major positions in the country's important offices continue to lie vacant. Positions including chief commissioner at the Commission of Investigation of Abuse of Authority, governor at Nepal Rastra Bank, secretary at ministry of Law and Justice, Judicial Council and senior attorney general at Attorney General's office, all are lying unoccupied. At a time when leaders within the ruling Nepali Congress are fighting to appoint their own coteries in the respective positions, no one really seems to be bothered about the delay in filling those positions.

Attraction For Silver Screen

The decision of renowned artist Bhuwan K.C to invite politicians into film industry found many followers. Along with minister for Culture, Youth and Sports Sarat Singh Bhandari, old politicians like prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai are also eying the silver screen. Bhattarai is said to have congratulated Bhandari for his decision in accepting the role but he expressed disappointment when K.C. did not offer him any.

Oli Or Bohara

Nepalese communist parties are full of ambitious leaders and CPN-UML is not an exception. At a time when all major political parties are trying to gear up their role, CPN-UML finds itself in trouble. When general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal left for a week long trip to the United States, he appointed junior colleague Amrit Kumar Bohara as acting general secretary of the party -- elbowing out the formidable K.P. Oli who happens to be the deputy leader of the opposition in the Parliament. Although Oli has not gone public about Bohara's appointment, he is reportedly not amused by the manner in which Nepal played down his role within the party.