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In his second term at the House of Representatives, Congress General Secretary Sushil Koirala finally found an issue to break his silence and registered his voice at the house on Thursday (June 8). General Secretary Koirala rarely spoke in the House much less defended himself of accusations until the word ISI was tagged with him. After the recently published "Indian Intelligence report" which makes many wild allegations including that of branding Koirala as being close to Pakistani intelligence ISI, Congress General Secretary found it hard to remain silent. When Koirala was defending himself in the Parliament, his own party colleagues were finding it difficult to conceal their smiles. Nepalese politicians have peculiar character of saying one thing while in power and quite the opposite while out of it. Blowing hot and cold in same breath has been the typical behavior of Nepalese politicians. Former Prime Minister and Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, too, exhibited similar behavior recently. Deuba, who has the full knowledge about the realities surrounding the appointment of Nain Bahadur Khatri as the Chairman of Human Rights Commission and Khatri's role during Panchayat era, has begun to harp similar rhetoric like that of his new mentor Krishna Prasad Bhattarai.
Deuba's remark was understandable as he wanted to gain mileage over rival Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Khatri's appointment. But it is strange to hear similar comments from leader of United People's Front Lilamani Pokharel who has also joined the bandwagon of a section of Nepali Congress in denouncing Khatri's appointment. Pokharel even went on to rely on the Bhattarai-Deuba faction's distorted version alleging about the supposed loyalty shown by Khatri on Panchayat system during one of his interviews. Every individual has different personality whether he be Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel or former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Poudel who is regarded as one of the serious personalities in Congress surprised many last week when he attended a ceremony to launch a new film. Though he seemed shy, Poudel spent nearly half an hour in the launching ceremony. Surrounded by director and actors, Poudel also set a new record by agreeing to appear in a guest role in the film. — Shree Bhadra Sharma
Former minister and Congress General Secretary SHREE BHADRA SHARMA, recently returned to his mother party Nepali Congress along with his followers. Sharma also declared the merger of his party Nepal Janta Parishad with Nepali Congress. Sharma spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues regarding his return to Congress. Excerpts: Why did you return to the Congress party after such a long gap? At present, Congress is the only party which follows the democratic principles. I am also a former general secretary of the party and I have deep attachment with it. It is like a family member going back to his own home after leaving it for a while. Then, why didn't you join the party immediately after the restoration of democracy? I decided to work independently considering that I could establish alternative democratic party outside Congress. I established Nepal Janta Parishad for that purpose. But now, at this juncture, I saw prospects of contributing toward democratic movement by returning to Nepali Congress. It is said that a section of your party workers still want to retain the party and accuse you of betrayal. How do you look at it? I have not betrayed any one. The decision to merge our party with Nepali Congress was taken unanimously by party's Central Committee. I discussed this matter with my party colleagues before merging it with Nepali Congress. When Nepali Congress is itself ridden in factionalism, what role do you expect to play? Nepali Congress is a big and mass-based party. In a democratic party, every individual has the right to express his\her own views. Now I am a congress member and it will be my duty to strengthen the Congress as it is the only party which can promote the cause of democracy. Will the Congress treat you with due respect? I have not done any harm to Congress and it is my mother party through which I had entered into politics. How do you see the present political situation? I am very happy to see the functioning of the democracy. Democracy needs a long practice and tradition. We are on our way to develop this practice and tradition. |
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