National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

‘The RPP Has A Strong Chance Of Winning A Majority In The Polls’

— RABINDRA NATH SHARMA

While the Nepali Congress and the main opposition CPN-UML are confused about the upcoming elections, senior politician and founder leader of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) RABINDRA NATH SHARMA is preparing to position his party as a key player in the new parliament. Known for his sharp political skills, Sharma has pulled off exceptional feats in the past. He spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on a wide range of political issues. Excerpts:

Many politicians and intellectuals are casting doubts on the upcoming general elections. Do you think the polls will be held?

After the verdict of the Supreme Court, the country has no alternative to facing the elections. We have to hold the elections to avert a constitutional deadlock and to ensure continuity of the democratic process. Since all major parties have announced they will go to the elections, I believe they will be held.

What makes you so confident?

It is in the interest of all to create a proper climate to hold free and fair elections. According to our constitution, there must be fresh elections for a new parliament once the house is dissolved. Our system of government is based on popular representation. So the government should be accountable to the people. I don't think it will be easy to hold the elections. Regardless of certain differences with the court's verdict on holding the elections during a state of emergency, we don't have any other option. I am surprised to hear Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba say that more than 80 percent votes will be cast. Even in the last three elections, when more than 25 percent of the votes were rigged, the average voting was 65 percent, which is among the highest turnouts in Third World elections.

How do you see the security arrangements for the elections?

Security agencies like the Royal Nepalese Army, police and administration play a very important role. They will definitely provide all necessary security arrangements. I don't think they will back candidates of any particular political party. Throughout history, the Royal Nepalese Army has always maintained impartiality and has never become involved in controversy. This is because the RNA remains apolitical and has never shown any interest in politics. I firmly believe that the elections held under the security arrangements of the army will be more free and fair than all the previous polls.

Do you think the elections will bring any changes?

It will help to create a new atmosphere to restore normalcy in the country. After the elections, we will pull out the country from its existing mess.

At a time when the country has been passing through a long phase of political instability and violence, what role will your party play to restore normalcy?

If the RPP secures a majority, we will work toward bringing normalcy in the country by putting an end to the killing of one Nepalese by another. If we gain power, we will open the door to peace talks while continuing the security operations. We will not send the security forces back to the barracks even if peace talks are held. Nor will we close the door to peace. We will call the Maoists to the negotiating table. Once we sit for talks, we will ask them to surrender their weapons. We cannot seek the surrender of arms as a precondition for talks. Besides encouraging the Maoist to join mainstream politics, we will undertake many reforms to address the root causes of the insurgency. We need to provide certain protections to people belonging to so-called "lower castes", citizens of the terai and other indigenous people. We need to introduce far-reaching economic programs. There are people who do not want to see an end to the problem. In the early stages of the insurgency, everyone took it lightly. Only after the violence went out of control did everyone realize the need to address the problem.

Don't you think the weakening of traditional forces and the growth of radical forces in Nepal may have serious implications for our neighbors?

As far as our neighbors are concerned, they are supporting our efforts to contain the Maoists, offering all kinds of help. Our southern neighbor has handed over many Maoists to the Nepalese government. We need their goodwill and support but we don't want any kind of interference. It is a great thing for us to secure their goodwill and support to build peace and tranquillity in Nepal.

The country's major party is yet to get recognition from the Election Commission. How do you look at the Nepali Congress dispute?

The Election Commission has already settled many problems relating to disputes over the election symbol. We had such disputes twice in the past, but they were settled within a couple of weeks. I don't understand why the Election Commission is taking such a long time this time. I fully trust the independence of the commission since it is the body mandated to hold impartial elections. I cannot think of taking any biased view on the commission. The Nepali Congress is the largest democratic party with such a long history. Are Congress leaders ready to go the elections without any symbol? If members of either faction have to contest the elections as independent candidates, it will be disastrous. I don't want to take sides in the Congress dispute, but if you start recognizing a group that organizes a convention in the streets, no political party will ever stabilize in Nepal.

At a time when the ruling party is divided and the main opposition communists are yet to establish their democratic credentials, how do you see the future of the RPP?

Given the present circumstances, it is certain that the RPP will have an important position in the post-election scenario. It may be hard for many to believe that the RPP would secure a majority. But if you see the ground reality, the RPP has valid reasons to believe that it will secure a majority. The people are fed up with the two major parties.

Don't you think the ruling party will secure a majority?

When even a unified Congress is no position to secure more than 30-40 seats, how can Prime Minister Deuba expect to secure a majority? The problem with the UML is that a large number of its grass root workers have already joining the Maoists. I have classified UML leaders in four categories - two each at the center and in the grass-roots level. The central level leaders are intact, but grass-roots workers have tilted to the other end.

Do you mean the UML's base is eroding?

Frankly speaking, most of its workers have already deserted the party. At the local level, the UML workers are Maoists by night. There is clear confusion.

The UML is trying to project itself as a socialist party. Don't you think the shift in their ideology will help them gain wider acceptability?

Ideologically, the UML is in a dilemma. It is trying to project itself as a socialist party in front of western powers but still adheres to the principles of Marxism and Leninism. If you see things in context, the RPP has every chance of securing a majority. We are nationalists, experienced and democrats. We have already led two governments. If our actual popularity translates into votes, we will definitely secure a majority. But we have to strengthen the organizational base and give place to younger leaders. We have to prove that we can do what we say we will do. If the elections are held in a free and fair manner, our party will secure a majority.

Do you see any possibility of your party forming an electoral alliance?

I don't see any possibility of an electoral alliance at the national level. There would be local-level seat adjustments with various political parties in many places. Since the Nepali Congress is divided, it is natural for both factions to seek an electoral alliance with us. If we align with Prime Minister Deuba faction, it means we might get some sort of administrative support. As far as Girijababu is concerned, he himself is uncertain about taking part in the elections. The RPP is now negotiating with the Nepal Sadbhavana Party, but it has limited influence in the terai. There is a group that wants to strike an alliance with the UML.

Newspaper reports say you plan to contest for the leadership of the RPP in the forthcoming party convention. What are your views?

Since we are facing general elections within a few months, we have postponed the party's general convention for another few months. This is the time to unite the party and I don't want to talk about issues that will divide us. I will declare my intention once the date of the party convention is announced. I am a founder member and first general secretary of the party; I have made many contributions to popularize the party. Because of my efforts, the RPP has led two coalition governments. If I wish, I can claim any position in the party.

How do you see the latest crackdown by the Commission of Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA)?

It is a necessary step to wipe out corruption. Only insane people can oppose such a move. My concern is how much the CIAA will follow the rule of law and the constitution. Its actions must be taken in accordance with the law and must be transparent. We have seen many such actions in the past, but they have never reached a logical end. The big fish ought to be caught. The government must also address the problems of employees.