OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

Welcome To Nepal

After a month long whirl-wind tour of the US and Cuba, main opposition leader Madhav Kumar Nepal returned home last week. He was accorded a warm welcome by all his colleagues including K.P. Sharma Oli. Communist Nepal was happy explaining to his party workers that capitalist America was worse-off than socialist Cuba. He said he saw bullock-carts and old cars in Cuba as compared to chic land classy cars in New York. Antiques have always had great values in the world. That could be one reason why, according to Nepal, all communist workers should have pride for Cuba and the communist nations.

Religious Koirala

Former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has projected himself as a politician who believes in secularism. He seems to have changed his earlier political philosophy when he went to Biratnagar to participate in the week long religious ritual at his home town. He acted as one of the devout religious men. In old age, people have different interests. Like his colleague Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Koirala also seems to be very busy practicing religion.

Strange Timing

Although it is said that the visit was due for a long time, nobody understood why former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba chose the present time to go to Australia. At a time when Bhattarai's health is not good and his colleague Ram Chandra Poudel has been recently inducted as the Deputy Prime Minister in the cabinet and more importantly he has been heading the committee formed to seek solutions to the four-year-old Maoist insurgency, it is strange to note why he chose to be away from the scene of action.

Happy Regmee

One man's trouble could be another's blessing. After the resignation by Education Minister Yog Prasad Upadhyaya, vice chairman of Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) Kaushal Raj Regmee heaved a sigh of relief. Former Minister Upadhyaya had asked for Regmee's resignation taking the side of the employees of the board. Former Secretary of Nepali Congress party and henchman of Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Regmee was in trouble when Upadhyaya headed the ministry. He is now free of troubles as the minister of state for Education Rajendra Kharel is close to him.

Busy Actress

The rumor-mills in the Nepalese film industry are working over time. The story goes that actress Jal Shah has become very busy in films and she has also become the first Nepalese actress to brandish a mobile telephone. She says she was getting out of touch with her friends because of tight schedules and therefore she opted for the mobile phone. Although she might get in touch with her friends courtesy the mobile, can she keep in touch with the mindset of Nepalese audiences, especially when she is signing films like there would be no tomorrow, remains to be seen.

REVELATION

‘I Am Still Honestly Using My Car’

— DEVI PRASAD OJHA

CPN-ML leader and former Minister Devi Prasad Ojha has had a long innings in politics. Former school teacher Ojha is one of the key players to break the UML party. Recently, he was suspended by CPN-ML after he denied to hand over his duty-free car to the party. His version:

What do you think about your party's decision to suspend you?

It is a totally unjust action against a committed party worker like me who had always abided by party discipline. I am sure party will soon lift my suspension.

Why did you deny to hand over the duty-free car?

I paid money to buy my car. Unlike others, I am still honestly using my car personally. Why should I hand over the car that I bought on my own to the party.

Your party has already said that you have to choose between the car or the party. What is your choice?

I will choose both of them. Neither, will I hand over the car nor will I quit the party.

Do you have any regret over splitting with the UML?

I don't have any regrets over it since it was done because of differences over policy.

How do you compare teaching with politics?

Teaching and politics are both related to social work. In politics, you have to face many difficulties but teaching is free of rivalry.

And what about the difference between being a minister and a common man?

When I was an MP many people came to visit me, now they even avoid encountering with me. This is the only difference.