NATIONAL 3 -(Spotlight Weekly)

Roars Of Two Lions

Sher Bahadur Deuba typifies the character of the late Kunwar Indrajit Singh

By KESHAB POUDEL

Although they are two leaders hailing from different generations, both Sher Bahadur Deuba and K.I. Singh will go down in Nepal's history as the lions that roared. Both hailing from the far western region, it is not a coincidence that their names mean lion in English (Sher and Singh mean lion in Nepali).

Even after a five-decade history of social and political transformation, the behavior of Nepalese politicians resembles that of leaders of the 1950s. Politicians make similar comments and remarks.

Deuba, who was mentored by the late B.P. Koirala, often shows that he is comfortable walking in Singh's footsteps.

Known as a popular orator who did not have any control over his tongue, Singh's speech used to spark controversies during his peak period in politics. Singh was sent to prison several times on charges of defaming the court. Singh usually began his speeches with fiery personal attacks rather than by raising any serious political issue of the day.

If one goes through Deuba's statements over the last three months, it becomes clear that he has left Singh behind when it comes to launching personal attacks.

Deuba : Fighting on

Deuba, who is running for the presidentship of a party that claims to have freed Nepalis from slavery twice, seems to forget his organization's past when he accuses Koirala of promoting slavery in the Nepali Congress. "Is he denouncing the historic role of the party by declaring that there is slavery in the party?" asked a political analyst.

"Deuba is a simple person of the far western region and he does not know how to use words diplomatically. His frank statements enhance his image," said a close Deuba colleague.

Deuba's recent statements and activities showed how slow the process of cultural transformation is moving. Knowledge and technology can be handed over slowly but not cultural change.

In the last two months, Deuba has urged party workers to vote against slavery by voting for him.

- I want to end slavery in the party.

- A slave cannot speak the truth and cannot muster the courage to fight the Maoists.

- From today, I am no more a student of Koirala.

- My candidacy is against the familization of party.

- I am Sher Bahadur Deuba and I do not need anyone's blessing.

- The people and party leaders have already accepted me as the leader. Girijababu, too, must accept me.

Some interesting statements of K.I. Singh published in Nepal Ko Rajnaitik Darpan (Referendum and After) by Grishma Bahadur Devkota.

- There is no need for a referendum when such a large number of people are attending my speeches. Singh (Lion) always wants to live as the king of the jungle, not as the king of the prison. K.I. Singh is lion-hearted.

- In a situation when the King cannot listen, Pashupati cannot speak, where can we go. The people do not have courage, the leaders do not have ideas and the King is surrounded by three people. (Nepal Times 2036 Kartik 18)

- Matrika Prasad Koirala is Marwari Prasad Koirala who has built a big bungalow in Biratnagar.

- I am K.I. Singh, so I am not a grass eater. A lion never eats grass. (In 1979)

- My roar must be understood by the King. If he doesn't, I can explode.