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OFF THE RECORD |
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OFF THE RECORD |
Political Rowdies Nepali Congress leaders seem to have thrown
aside basic etiquette when it comes to dealing with members of the rival faction. The
abusive language and rowdy behavior heard and seen during the recent hearings at the
Election Commission appeared to come right out of a dysfunctional elementary classroom.
During the five-day hearings, leaders of the Koirala and Deuba factions used fair and foul
methods to establish their legal rights over the election symbol (tree) and party flag.
The quarrels turned fierce when Koirala aide Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Deuba confidant
Bimlendra Nidhi indulged in some physical action. The chief election commissioner and his
two colleagues hardly found themselves any closer to reaching a decision. But they must
have had a first-hand glimpse into what passes for politics these days. New Beginning It is almost a ritual at inauguration
ceremonies these days to have a minister light a lamp and delivering a long speech. The
organizers of Himalayan Expo 2002 tried a new method. They invited businessmen and
Kathmandu-based foreign envoys to jointly inaugurate the event. And it received wide
coverage. It remains to be seen how many other organizations would follow the path shown
by the House of Rajkarnikar. But it is a good beginning.
Small-Screen Appeal As the production of Nepalese films has
dropped to record lows, many prominent actors have found the small screen of Nepal
Television as the best alternative. Since the imposition of the state of emergency nine
months ago, audiences have plummeted. So the producers have sensed the market indoors.
With two private channels coming on board in the near future, prominent artistes can
expect busy days. If you can't bring audiences into the movie theaters, go to their homes.
Flexible Comrades CPN-UML leaders have perfected political
flexibility into art form. First, they started telling you what you wanted to hear. Now
they are not showing you what do not want to see. When a powerful western ambassador
visited UML headquarters recently, senior comrades took down the portraits of Marx, Lenin,
Stalin and Mao from the walls. When all the other political parties are writing the
election manifesto on their own, UML leaders are consulting intellectuals and other
segments of society. How many suggestions UML leaders will include in the manifesto is
anybody's guess. But for the moment, general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal is projecting
the image that his party cares. Raid Revelry Whether they were spontaneous or managed,
the city witnessed many unusual scenes following the raids launched by the Commission of
Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) at the houses of 22 officials under the
Ministry of Finance. From Biratnagar to Kathmandu, anti-corruption activists burn the
effigy of corruption and congratulated the CIAA. In a country whose calendar is full of
festivals, the raids have sparked another bout of revelry. Let's just hope the fun doesn't
spoil the prosecution's case. |
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editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
