NATIONAL 2 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Battle Royale

Prime Minister Koirala's announcement for party's presidentship puts his rivals within the ruling party on defensive

By KESHAB POUDEL

Time: 3:30 P.M.
Date: November 7, 2000
Venue: Prime minister's official residence, Baluwatar
Actor: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala
Subject: Announcement of candidature for the party presidentship

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's announcement that he will be a candidate for the party presidentship may not have come as a surprise to many. However, the move has sent shockwaves in former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's camp. Many see Koirala's announcement as a pre-emptive move against Deuba, the preferred choice of the Congress dissidents.

Although Koirala's candidature was expected since long, the real news was why the prime minister waited for so long to make a formal announcement.

In a hurriedly called press conference, Koirala, 77, said he was confident of re-election to another five-year term as the party chief.

Unlike five years ago, when he announced his candidature at his party office in Maharajgunj in the presence of a large number of opponents, Koirala was this time guarded by Minister of Sports and Education Amod Prasd Upadhyaya, Minister of Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, Minister of Finance and Defence Mahesh Acharya and party spokesman Narahari Acharya. Another half a dozen junior ministers and MPs were also present.

"I have decided to contest the elections to fulfill the promises I made five years ago," Koirala said.

A man who has spent almost five decades in public life since leading a labor strike in Biratnagar in the late forties, Koirala said politics remained his first priority. "While making this announcement, I feel that I have a certain responsibility toward the party and country," Koirala added.

Although some of his fiercest supporters of the past have today joined the rival camp led by Deuba, Koirala does not have a serious challenger within the party.

Deuba has formed a front that includes former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Khum Bahadur Khadka, Bijaya Kumar Gachedar and Chiranjibi Wagle against Koirala. However, unseating Koirala, who wields considerable influence among his workers at the grass-roots level, would be a formidable task for his rivals.

"History has shown that no one can stand against Koirala in the Congress," said a political analyst. "Those who have challenged Koirala have had a hard time retaining their identity."

Koirala loyalists were obviously elated by the announcement. "Koirala made the right decision and has energized us to work for the party," said MP Mahadev Gurung, who is among the staunch supporters of the prime minister.

Koirala's Candidacy : The announcement of Primeminister Koirala to cintest for post of horty president pares graend high voltage drama.

Strangely, some key Koirala allies, including former Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi and party general secretary Sushil Koirala, were not present at the press conference.

Koirala held the press conference just an hour before Deuba was scheduled to officially release his Commission's recommendations on resolving the Maoist insurgency. Deuba refused to comment on Koirala's candidature, saying the sole purpose of his press meet was to make public the panel's report.

Koirala's announcement also carries significance for the other two second-generation leaders in the faction-ridden politics of Congress. Koirala's candidature may have come as a jolt to his niece, Ms. Shailaja Acharya, who had announced her decision to contest the elections several weeks ago.

Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel, who is said to be close to both Koirala and Bhattarai, is yet to make up his mind.

At a time when Deuba has raised the banner of revolt against Koirala, Poudel may support Koirala's candidature as he does not have many options. The tenth general convention of the ruling slated to be held in Pokhara early next year will choose a new leadership for the five-decade-old party.

`Bhattarai has promised to support me'

-PRIME MINISTER KOIRALA

After announcing his candidature, a confident Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala spoke to reporters. Excerpts:

How do you feel while making this announcement?

I feel that I have some burden upon me.

Why did you decide to seek re-election?

I want to fulfill the commitments I had made five years ago. I have already fulfilled a key commitment by bringing Congress to power with a clear majority.

Earlier you were in favour of one man holding one post. How do you explain this change?

Now I think the one-man-two-posts arrangement is much better.

Do you think (former premier K. P.) Bhattarai will support your candidature?

Yes. He has assured full support to my candidature.

When all your former colleagues are arrayed against you today, how confident are you of winning the elections?

In a democracy, everyone has the right to take sides. I am not bothered about who contests the elections. I believe in open competition.

One of your former colleagues, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, has been saying that he wants to change the "slave mentality" in the party. What is your response?

I don't know where is the "slavery" in our party. Nevertheless, everyone has the right to express his or her own opinion.

Isn't your move intended to pre-empt Deuba's candidature?

Is Deuba also organizing a press conference? Every Congress worker has the right to contest elections.

How confident are you of victory?

I am very confident that I will win for another five-year term.