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Tactful Thapa
Rastriya Prajatantra Party president
Surya Bahadur Thapa is one of the most accomplished players of contemporary Nepalese
politics. He has earned this distinction by his ability to take the right decisions at the
right time. Earlier this year, he sided with the CPN-UML in the comrades' effort to oust
Nepali Congress strongman Girija Prasad Koirala from the prime minister's office. After
the imposition of the state of emergency last month, Thapa decided to throw his weight
fully behind the Nepali Congress government. The political skills of Thapa, who has served
as premier both during the partyless and multiparty systems, remain potent.
Rana's Record
One of the qualifications of Rukma
Sumsher Rana, president of Nepal Olympic Committee, is that he is the son of late Nepali
Congress leader Subarna Sumsher Rana. Rukma's family ties have helped him get all kinds of
benefits from the ruling party. The government recently chose not to take any action
against him even after the botched All Nepal Football Association election he was
entrusted with overseeing. The International Olympic Committee went a step further by
announcing its decision to award Rana for his contributions. Since when has dereliction
become a virtue? Critical Support The CPN-UML is known for offering
"critical support" to everything. Whether it is the Constitution of Kingdom of
Nepal 1990 ó which was drafted by a panel that included two of today's UML luminaries ó
or other critical national issues, UML leaders have shown an adeptness in keeping things
ambiguous. At a time when all foreign friends of Nepal have supported the government's
decision to order a state of emergency, the UML discussed the move for two full days
before endorsing it with critical reservations. When will UML leaders decide to get off
the fence? Happy Oli
CPN-UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli seemed
to be the happiest man in town when his party's general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal cut
short his visit to the United States and Cuba after the imposition of the emergency. Oil's
delight is understandable, since Nepal had deputed Amrit Kumar Bohara ó who ranks below Oli in the party hierarchy ó as
acting general secretary before leaving Kathmandu. Bohara's inauspicious innings at the
party's top was an obvious source of satisfaction to Oli, who plans to run for general
secretary during the next party convention. Silent Kandel Minister of State for Home Devendra Raj
Kandel has chosen to remain tight-lipped following the imposition of the state of
emergency. Until a few days ago, Kandel was going around the country making contradictory
remarks on the resurgence of violence and the government's effort to quell it. How long
will Kandel keep quiet? Maybe as long as mentor Khum Bahadur Khadka — who also
happens to be his boss at the Home Ministry — asks him to do so. |
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