OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

Unusual Unanimity

Nepal : Rare meeting of mind

CPN-UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and his deputy, K.P. Sharma Oli, are usually at loggerheads when it comes to expressing views on burning national issues. In one of their rare moments of unanimity, Nepal and Oli stressed last week that it is the responsibility of political parties to evaluate the consequences of the imposition of the state of emergency. Few would disagree with the duo's discourse on democracy. But would the comrades take similar responsibility for the mess the emergency is intended to correct? As representatives of the main opposition party, Nepal and Oli might find it convenient to pass the buck on to the ruling Nepali Congress. But can they evade full responsibility after having enjoyed the privileges and benefits that come with being members of the shadow government?

Positive Premier

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is busy these days meeting people and visiting places. Following the imposition of the state of emergency, Deuba has found time to hear the complaints of organizations and political parties. An interesting feature of Deuba's interactions is the common response he has ready for all kinds of grievances. While meeting with officials of the Human Rights Commission, the prime minister pledged to increase the organization's annual budget. When Deuba met with leaders of opposition parties, he wasted little time in endorsing their suggestions. The state of emergency seems to have instilled a positive attitude in the prime minister.

Fertile Mind

Narhari Acharya, a member of the Nepali Congress Central Working Committee, has proved time and again that he possesses a fertile mind. The problem, however, is that his imagination often triggers controversies the country could do without. When Acharya was the spokesman of the ruling party, he pushed his personal views as party policy. Former prime minister and party president Girija Prasad Koirala tolerated Acharya's proclivity for a long time. But Koirala's patience ran out when Acharya made controversial remarks on the institution of monarchy, forcing the Congress chief to remove the party spokesman. At a time when leaders of his own party are reluctant to disclose their property, Acharya has been demanding transparency in the palace's property. Don't you think Acharya could work wonders for his country if he employed his creativity to resolve the real issues of the day?

No Entry

Khadka :

After the imposition of the state of emergency, the government has fortified security in and around Singha Durbar. Visitors have to undergo tighter checks amid the probing gaze of security officers. Some ministers and senior officials are still used to the old ways and try to enter the secretariat premises without providing proper identification. For instance, it took the intervention of Home Minister Khum Bahadur Khadka to allow his minister of state into the office. How many people can count on the support of the boss?

Gautam's Vow

Gautam : On his won

CPN-ML leader Bam Dev Gautam has declared that he would not join the CPN-UML until some of his former comrades publicly apologized for their role in splitting the party. At a recent public meeting, the firebrand communist leader repeated that stand. But UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli, no less incendiary when it comes to speaking his mind, appeared not to notice Gautam's presence. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba turned out to be more sympathetic. After finishing his speech, the prime minister sat in the middle of the two comrades and raised their hands, in an apparent reconciliation effort.