OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

Opportunistic Streak

When Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga dissolved parliament hours before it was to have started debating a no-confidence motion, a group of Nepalese lawyers and opposition members were infuriated by the conduct of heir counterparts in the island nation. If Prime Minister Sher Bahadur were to recommend the dissolution of the House of Representatives, we know what our politicians and lawyers would have done. They would have thronged the Supreme Court with petitions seeking to declare the order unconstitutional. From the ruling Nepali Congress to the main opposition CPN-UML, all arties have shown this opportunistic streak. That's why the 'passivity' of Sri Lanka's opposition politicians and lawyers has infuriated their opposite numbers in Nepal.

Where Do They Stand?

Most of the King's nominees in the upper house of parliament seem to have forgotten their primary responsibilities. As no political party has a majority in the house of elders, some royal nominees find it easy to follow their own brand of 'Aya Ram Gaya Ram' politics. Whether it is sitting MP Yankela Sherpa or former MP Sarada Pokharel, few show compunction in betraying the institution that sent them there. As royal nominees, their duties are to defend the monarchy by conveying proper perspectives in the house. Unfortunately, most royal nominees are trying to project themselves along party lines. Doesn't this suggest that the time has come for the palace to re-evaluate the nomination process?

Formal Informality

Nepalese journalists often put political leaders on the defensive. But recently a leading politician painted them into the corner. Nepali Congress leader Narahari Acharya knows how to tackle journalists and disseminate the views of his party. Acharya recently organized an informal meeting with journalists but discussed almost all formal issues of concern. He replied to reporters' queries without pretenses of an off-the-record session. As the convener of the publicity department of the Nepali Congress, Acharya gave out key information relating to the party. Whenever there is a crisis in the Nepali Congress, Acharya has been successful in throwing the views of the party by placing journos on the defensive. Acharya has devised a convenient way of leaking information and floating trial balloons with proper safeguards for himself.

Mysterious Absence

House of Representatives Speaker Taranath Ranabhat and his deputy, Chitra Lekha Yadav, seem to be very unhappy over the land reform agenda presented by their party. What else could explain their absence from the session in which the government tabled the land reform bill for a vote? Ranabhat and Yadav are normally present in sessions that deal with the most mundane matters. Their decision to let a junior MP chair such an important session leaves ample room for suspicion.

Freedom Furore

Nepal has entered a free-for-all phase in its democratic evolution. A judge issues an interim order on a matter not formalized by the government. The opposition refuses to discuss a bill passed by the lower house. And judges who are supposed to listen to opinions start to vehemently plead their own case. Has anyone thought about the kind of message this robust exercise of freedom is sending to the people?