NATIONAL8 (Spotlight Weekly]

Fractured Opposition

After the RPP's decision to separate itself from the CPN-UML-led street agitation, the two-month-long political deadlock takes a new turn

By KESHAB POUDEL

The decision of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) -- the third largest group in parliament -- to walk out of the opposition alliance expressing disagreement over the street agitation against Prime Minister Giirija Prasad Koirala announced by the main opposition party has turned a united opposition struggle into an all-communist protest.

The RPP's sudden policy shift has not come as a surprise in political circles, especially at a time when Kathmandu-based western and other diplomats have been pushing a series of steps to bring the political and constitutional process back on track.

PM Koirala (left) with opposition leader : On collision course

The latest turn of events may provide a sigh of relief to beleaguered Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is facing the most serious crisis in his five-decade-long political career. But the task of bringing back the communist parties into the parliamentary process remains daunting.

Although the RPP still holds the view that prime minister has no alternative but to resign, its decision not to join the communist-led street agitation shows that the party has "slightly" softened its stand against Koirala.

Interestingly, when the RPP has alienated itself from the communist alliance, the terai-based Nepal Sadbhvana Party, which supported the government for the first 35 days of the winter session of parliament, has finally supported the opposition move to boycott the house.

"We will not support any undemocratic and unconstitutional steps of main opposition CPN-UML including street agitation. Being an alternative democratic party, we cannot go against constitutional process. To launch a street agitation in existing scenario will benefit the extreme left and extreme right," said Rabindra Nath Sharma, one of the prominent leader of the RPP.

Even after distancing itself from the street agitation, the RPP continues to support opposition moves to stall the proceedings of parliament.

"It was the Nepali Congress that promoted the communists in Nepal by launching a joint agitation with them in 1990 and including them in the last election government," said MP and RPP leader Sharma, countering the charges that his party is promoting the communists.

Withdrawal of the RPP from the opposition alliance seems to have put the main opposition CPN-UML in a dilemma over whether to continue the street agitation. Although CPN-UML leaders assert that the people will support their agitation, there are few signs of imminent popular enthusiasm.

Even western friends of the CPN-UML have already requested party leaders to follow the democratic process and uphold parliamentary norms.

In a situation where it is facing pressure from all quarters, the CPN-UML is said to be considering to withdraw its agitation program if can find a face-saving way of doing that. Publicly, however, CPN-UML leaders are still expressing support for the street agitation.

"We have already requested the main opposition party to play the role of a responsible opposition as we are in a no position to support any move that will destablize the whole political process," a senior western diplomat told SPOTLIGHT on condition of anonymity.

Understanding the importance of western support for their survival, CPN-UML leaders, too, are trying to persuade western friends that they don't want to undermine the constitutional process. "Street agitation is also a part of the democratic process. It is the people who will decide the fate of the government and its leader," said powerful UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli. "How can we support a prime minister who is involved in a corruption scandal."

Oli's ebullience notwithstanding, it is increasingly becoming clear that the opposition leaders are searching for a face-saving formula to end the current political deadlock.

GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRALA
Man Of Strength

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala knows how to confront the politics of agitation

By KESHAB POUDEL

For Girija Prasad Koirala, responding to political agitation seems come as second nature. From the beginning of his political career, Koirala has passed through a sea of political turmoil.

Prime Minister Koirala has proved that he is a genuine player of Nepalese politics who knows how to outsmart his rivals and break stalemates. This time, too, Koirala has been able to break the RPP's alliance with the communists.

Despite the efforts of his opponents within the party and outside to oust him, Koirala outmaneuvered all his colleagues and rivals in the political survival race.

Koirala himself has set a record in the party by contesting all elections in a party that has traditionally chosen its leadership by consensus. Koirala contested the elections of parliamentary party leadership and party president with his student, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

He did everything to bring his party to power and his tireless campaigning and whirlwind national tours are still recalled with awe. Although he is 76, Koirala is neither looks tired nor seems to be in need of rest.

His destiny still lies with Congress politics. Discarding his daughter Sujata Koirala's claim to the Koirala mantle, the prime minister has promoted his nephew, Prakash, elder son of the late B.P. Koirala.

After he won the central committee membership in the elections held in Pokhara earlier this year, B.P.'s son was appointed as a minister.

On the last leg of his political career, Prime Minister Koirala is still fighting a political battle with his communist opponents and his intra-party challengers, including former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and his supporters.

But a prominent Koirala hallmark has been never to allow his opponents to have their way. This time, opposition parties have gone to the extent of stalling the House of Representatives for more than 40 days to press for his resignation. So far, Koirala's insistence on upholding the parliamentary process has worked well for him.