Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

Lucky Deuba

Few politicians are as lucky as Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba when it comes to reversing the constitutional course in one's favor. In 1995, the Supreme Court limited the prime minister's right to dissolve the House of Representatives on a petition Deuba had filed. That paved the way for his elevation to the country's top elective office. This time, the Supreme Court restored the prime minister's right. Thanks to Deuba, the prime minister, in most cases, can tame restive MPs by raising the rod of fresh elections.

Loose Talk

CPN-UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikary is known for his loose comments. Statements by the veteran communist leader have put the party in controversy several times in the past. Adhikary was part of a three-member UML delegation, led by general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, that paid a goodwill visit to India last week. In his ardor to emphasize the importance of the sojourn, Adhikary equated it with the king's state visit and the prime minister's official visit earlier this year. UML leaders, who never tire of claiming they would form the next government, should understand the difference between a goodwill trip by a party delegation and visits by the heads of state and government.

Divided Party?

Although the Nepali Congress has two sets of leaders since the party split two months ago, members at the lower rungs still seem to share some values. As key members of rival factions like Govinda Raj Joshi and Bimalendra Nidhi pressed their claim to the election symbol and flag at the Election Commission last week, their workers and supporters found time to share the pains of division and to consolidate their relations. If the Election Commission were to extend its hearings, there might be a good chance of the factions joining hands under a single flag and symbol.

Koirala's Slogan

Former prime minister and Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala needs a new issue whenever he addresses a program. Following the Supreme Court's dismissal of petitions challenging the dissolution of the House of Representatives, Koirala has found a new enemy. In the last couple of meetings, Koirala has clearly suggested that the apex court's unanimous decision† in favor of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's decision was a bad omen for democracy. Koirala, who has spent almost all of his life in the people's court, now seems to be ignoring their central role in the democratic process.

Speaker's Silence

House of Representatives Speaker Taranath Ranabhat is always in the news for his observations and mannerisms. Whether on a foreign junket or inside the legislative chamber, Ranabhat has lost little time in doing or saying something newsworthy. After the dismissal of the writ filed in the apex court demanding the reinstatement of the house, however, Ranabhat has remained quiet. Nobody knows why he is mum. But once he breaks his silence, it is safe to bet he would create news.