OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

‘CPN-ML Has A Bright Future’

— Bamdev Gautam

Following his last week's meeting with CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, CPN-ML leader BAMDEV GAUTAM is in the news. The news broke out that Gautam is considering to rejoin his mother party CPN-UML. ML General Secretary Bamdev Gautam talked to the press in this context. Excerpts:

Are you planning to rejoin UML?

There is no question to rejoin CPN-UML. It is a baseless rumor propagated by the UML.

Then, why did you meet UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal?

My meeting with Nepal was just a part of official meetings that take place between two general secretaries. We only discussed matters related to national interest.

Do you believe that your party can stay united even if C.P. Mainali revolts?

Particular individuals do not matter. Our party has strong grassroots presence. I can only say that Mainali's step will erode his own image.

Mainali's followers are saying that you have betrayed him. Is that true?

There is no need to talk about the character of C.P. Mainali. I don't want to comment on that. People will judge who betrayed who.

After licking the dust in the last elections and the brewing revolt within your party, do you see any future of the splinter group?

I told you that CPN-ML has a bright future as CPN-UML is gradually losing its base in the districts

Sujata's Celebration

When Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai proposed a toast calling for long life of the cease-fire, Koirala's loyalists heaved a sigh of relief. Some even booked tables at local restaurants to celebrate for Koirala. As soon as the news of cease-fire broke out, the house of Sujata Koirala witnessed unusual merriment. While the famous dinner party at PM Koirala's residence concluded at 9 pm, Sujata celebrated it till 11 pm. Sujata had a valid reason to celebrate the occasion as this could be her father's swan song.

Season Of Jaunts

Most politicians are always on foreign or domestic jaunts. Speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat is on a tour to the USA along with his two senior officials including General Secretary of and Secretary of House of Representatives. Prime Minister Koirala, too, is heading for three-week-long trip to New York along with foreign minister Chakra Prasad Bastola and deputy parliamentary leader of CPN-UML K.P. Sharma Oli. When all senior cabinet colleagues are leaving for overseas, Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel and Home Minister Govinda Raj Joshi are on a whirlwind trip to remote parts of the country. This month seems to be a month for travels.

Satire Against Satire

Whenever they perform their programs, humorists-duo Madan Krishna Shrestha and Hari Bansha Acharya receive accolades from their audiences. The reason: they are always critical to dirty politics and they project a funny yet incisive satire on politicians. This time the loyal audiences of the comedian-duo had to suffer themselves. Thanks to mismanagement, the audiences were forced to buy ticket from black-market to see their stage programs.

Bitter Dinner For Deuba

Easy going does not always pay. Former premier Sher Bahadur Deuba walked out of his office murmuring with some of his party colleagues. After the cease-fire agreement between former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Prime Minister Koirala, former premier Deuba's followers are said to be complaining about the terms and conditions of the agreement. During three hours consultative meeting with his followers, Deuba had to face their scathing attacks.