OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

Hero No. 1

From central committee members of the ruling Nepali Congress assembled at Baluwatar to luminaries of Nepal’s motion picture industry congregated at the Birendra International Convention Hall, everybody wanted Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in their midst last week. The main opposition CPN-UML sees him as a revolutionary leader ever since he announced his eight-point program that includes radical land reform. Senior Congress leaders cannot stop praising him for bringing the Maoists rebels to the negotiating table.The Maoists are not far behind in hailing Deuba as the "soft and liberal" face of the Nepali Congress. When Deuba rose to address the annual motion picture awards ceremony last week, he drew sustained applause. This prompted some to confer the title of "Hero No. 1" on the prime minister.

Three In One

Bishnu Gopal Shrestha has proved that he is a truly multifaceted personality when he successfully organized the motion picture awards ceremony at the capital. Shrestha, a former boxer and renowned goalkeeper of the national soccer team, has always been successful in his ventures. As a boxer, he won many championship trophies during the 1970s. As a goalkeeper, he won the hearts of not only fans of the Rani Pokhari Corner Team but also of Kathmanduites. After entering the film industry, Shrestha found another area to show his talent and has excelled.

Hometown Haunt

Whenever he faces a crisis, former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala visits his hometown of Biratnagar, as if to get advice from some supernatural forces. After returning from Biratnagar, Koirala usually feels some relief, but he creates trouble for others in his party and outside. Political careers are redefined and power equations are redrawn. That’s why when the grand old man returned from his hometown last week, alarm bells immediately went off in political circles.

gupta : Discriminatory !

Media Bias

Information and Communications Minister Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta has initiated a new schedule to brief the media on overall issues of the government. Gupta, who is also the spokesman of the cabinet, has made it clear that he wants to disseminate information to the widest number of people through the media. At a time when a select group of journalists, heavily dominated by representatives of the official media, is invited to his press meetings, how can Gupta hope to achieve his goal? Does he think private-sector journalists are so sloppy with their work?

Troubling Record

Ranabhat : No trouble-shooter

Although he aspires to become prime minister one day, House of Representatives Speaker Taranath Ranabhat does not command enough support in his party right now. Actually, Ranabhat, who earned the epithet of "Mr Raatatat" for his ebullient performance while releasing the report on the royal palace killings, might be losing whatever support he may have. The speaker seems to be enjoying the opportunity to adjourn the house at the slightest commotion. But his naughtiness in parliament could erode his image and undermine his prime ministerial ambitions. When he led the "group of 36", he created trouble for Girija Prasad Koirala’s first government. During the last session of parliament, he presided over a stalled house for 64 days, hastening Koirala’s exit as prime minister. After Sher Bahadur Deuba got in the hot seat, Ranabhat has adjourned the house for 14 days under pressure from a handful of MPs. Ranabhat’s record suggests that he was born to create trouble for his own party.