OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

Deer Leader

Koirala : Haunted by demands

When former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai organized an all-party meeting at his Bhainsepati residence last week, reporters suddenly rushed to the back of the building as if they smelled a scoop. Their olfactory senses did sniff a story: a protected wildlife species ensconced within a powerful political perimeter. As soon as they sighted a doe in a cage with a black belt on her neck, photojournalists fell all over the place. At the press conference, too, Bhattarai’s new pet became the subject of more questions than the proceedings of the meeting. After his recent visit to the Tapoban, Rajneesh Ashram, north of Kathmandu, Bhattarai appears to have developed special reverence for the denizens of the animal kingdom.

Stalemate Mastermind

Bhattarai : Oh, deer !

Former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai just can’t stop leaving people guessing about his next move. He brought up the wounds festering in the governing Nepali Congress out in the open when he demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at an all-party meeting at his residence. Bhattarai even proclaimed that there could not have been a better venue to demand the premier’s ouster. After Bhattarai spoke, UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and RPP leader Surya Bahadur Thapa seconded his demand. Now, who is playing second fiddle to whom?

Comradely Conduct

Nepal : Tradition-bound

Most Nepalese politicians are known for not practising what they preach. However, our communist leaders are particularly adept in doing things that are diametrically opposed to their ideology. Being progressives, they are supposed to oppose tradition. However, when issues of religion are concerned, our comrades are often at the front of the pack. From radical communist Lilamani Pokharel to so-called moderate Madhav Kumar Nepal, the task of breaking with tradition is just too difficult. This trait was on display last week when the red brigade took a leaf from the Mahabharat and began their anti-government demonstrations by blowing the conch.

Weapons Of Choice

Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP) leader Gajendra Narayan Singh has two weapons in his hands which he is using in turns to suit his interest. When all the other opposition parties walked out of parliament demanding the resignation of Girija Prasad Koirala, Singh’s NSP stood firmly behind the prime minister on the plea of upholding the parliamentary process. When the government decided to present two controversial ordinances in parliament, the NSP supremo joined the opposition in blocking the bid. Four years ago, when he was a member of Sher Bahadur Deuba-led coalition cabinet, Singh switched benches at the last minute to bring down the government. Those familiar with this steady record of flip-flops steadfastly refuse to predict what Gajjubabu might be up to next.