OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

‘Both The Leaders Should Remain As Guardians Of The Party’

— Chiranjibi Wagle

Former Minister CHIRANJIBI WAGLE is one of the key players in the Bhattarai camp in Nepali Congress. Wagle - a soft spoken politician - is launching a crusade against Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. Wagle spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues regarding the strategy of Bhattarai-Deuba lobby. Excerpts:

What steps will your group take if Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala does not abide by the suggestions of former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai?

As a founder member of the party, Girijababu should accept the proposal put forward by Kishunji. As both leaders are old, it is better for them to be guardians of the party rather than its active leaders.

But, Koirala has asked you people to follow the constitutional process. What do you say?

We can also follow the constitutional process but it is the best way to settle the disputes through negotiations and consensus. Kishunji has rightly asked Koirala to abide by the negotiations.

Is it not undemocratic to ask someone to resign from a post to which he has been elected?

There is no question of undemocratic exercise. We are not forcing Girijababu to resign. We are suggesting him to choose the best way for the future of the party. In a political party, there are different ways to settle disputes.

When Koirala had asked Bhattarai to follow similar demands last year, why had Bhattarai rejected them then?

Bhattaraiji simply resigned when he saw the dissension in the party and paved the way for the election of Girijababu.

20 Minutes Meet

Bhattarai and Koirala : At logget head.

When Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala reached Bhainsepati -residence of former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai - on Thursday it was former ministers Omkar Prasad Shrestha and Purna Bahadur Khadka who were at the gate to welcome him. Unlike previous occasions, Bhattarai himself did not come to welcome his party colleague. Although it took nearly a week for Koirala and Bhattarai to meet face to face, they came out from the meeting less than 20 minutes later. Five decade long friends in politics could spare only twenty minutes for dialogue. It is reported their smiles at each other are belying and they are at daggers drawn.

Bamdev's Politics

CPN-ML leader Bamdev Gautam has secured mastery in politicizing the cases of accident. Whether it was the case of late Madan Bhandari or Praveen Gurung, Gautam knows how to launch protest demonstrations. There is a famous saying that if you eat too much of sugar, it will turn bitter. But comrade Gautam sees this as a good way to reestablish his lost image as a crusader in raising causes. After raising issues related to the death of late Madan Bhandari and Jeev Raj Ashrit, Gautam later helped to cover up the mysterious circumstances surrounding the accident that took the life of rising UML stars. He is acting similarly this time also.

Sneaking Overseas

At a time when his party is facing serious crisis, Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat thinks it more important to visit abroad. In fact, Speaker Ranabhat has the uncanny habit of sneaking overseas whenever his party is in trouble. Last time when the government of former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai was in trouble, Speaker Ranabhat was on a tour to Australia. This time when Koirala is in trouble, Ranabhat is going to USA. It seems honest and dedicated Nepalese politicians never miss an opportunity to make an extra buck through foreign jaunts. Bravo, Mr Speaker.