NATIONAL 4 - (Spotlight Weekly)

‘Koirala Resigned Due To Army's Role’

— MS. SHAILAJA ACHARYA

A senior leader of the ruling Nepali Congress, MS. SHAILAJA ACHARYA was recently in the news due to her controversial remarks. She clarified her position in a t'te-‡-t'te with Deshanter weekly early this week. Follows excerpts of the interview with the former Deputy Prime Minister and former Vice President of the NC:

On what basis did you say that Prime Minister Koirala resigned due to non-cooperation of the army?

Girijababu said in Biratnagar that he would tell everything about the circumstances (leading to his resignation). I hope he will put every thing before public in an appropriate time. So far as I know, he was compelled to resign due to the role of army (in the Rolpa incident).

Do you mean that the army defied the government orders?

You ask details with Girijababu. But it is true that he had to resign as the performance of the army in the Maoist insurgency affected area was not satisfactory.

Why is that Nepali Congress never could take the palace and army into confidence?

I don't know if NC could not win the King's confidence. I think there was an environment of confidence between late King Birendra and us. King Birendra never violated the sphere of the constitution. Now, we have got King Gyanendra who is new to the throne. We still have to see his reign.

Why did GP Koirala not tell everything to the Parliament?

You better ask with him.

Why is that all the governments here are short-lived?

None of the governments in the past 11 years could complete their full term. The fate of the majority Nepali Congress government is well before us. No government could transform the lives of the people due to infighting, feud and contradictions within and among the political parties. That is why questions have been raised now even at the parliamentary system adopted by the country. We can't rule out the role of different power centers in making or unmaking different governments. Our parliamentary system now stands now at a very critical juncture. There is a need of national consensus to resolve the problem of Maoist insurgency. Such a consensus should be evolved within the parameters of the present constitution.

So, what kind of amendment should be made in the constitution?

Nepali Congress can never compromise against the constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy, sovereignty on people, rule of law and fundamental rights of the people. barring these issues, if they (the Maoists) have right and concrete agenda for bringing about total change in socio-economic-cultural spheres, then that can be discussed. If there are any impediments in the existing laws or constitution in that direction, necessary revisions can be made on the basis of national consensus.

Why did you propose KP Bhattarai as the consensus candidate?

I am against division within my party. If we undergo any sort of division now it will have very adverse impact. I proposed Bhattarai's name to avoid any division. He is a very matured and experienced politician. I proposed his name as he could give a matured way out to the country from the present political crisis. But I could not succeed.

What about Sushil Koirala?

Sushil himself wanted (Sher Bahadur) Deuba as the Prime Minister. He knew that he could not defeat Deuba but decided to contest and did not accept Bhattaraiji as a consensus candidate. I am not in a position to tell more. All I could say is Deuba and Sushil are two sides of the same coin.

What do you mean by saying that both army and King trust premier Deuba?

If the present government fails to resolve the problem of Maoist insurgency then the future alternative will be either the army or the Maoists. The situation is such that you needed to win trust of both the army and the Maoists to become the Prime Minister. This is what I said but media misquoted me.

Why are your critical of Mr. Deuba-- since he is junior to you in the politics?

Of course, he is junior to me in the Congress politics. I don't envy him. But I have got reservations toward his style of functioning. You know what type of distortions took place during his first tenure as Prime Minister. The culture of Pajero and selling and buying of lawmakers was brought in during his tenure. Now, I have got full support and good wishes toward him. I would like to appeal to all the Congress workers and leaders to cooperate this government to take the country out of crisis.

From where do you see the threat to democracy-- from the palace and army, foreign powers, Maoists or political leaders themselves?

From all of them All these forces had an opportunity to play here due to our mistakes and inefficiency.

Do you see the Maoists committed to the country?

Personally, I don't know their leaders. Many among them may be honest people. But looking at the way they are perpetrating the politics of murder I think there are people with ulterior motives.

What will happen if the talks between the government and rebels fail?

The politics of confrontation will start and then, it will be very difficult to protect the multi-party democracy. The army and Maoists will come face to face if the talks fail. That will the most unfortunate situation for the country.

How do you see the new cabinet formed by premier Deuba?

It is the old wine in a new bottle.