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| OFF THE RECORD |
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| OFF THE RECORD |
Welcome, Comrade
At first glance, the handshake at the
tea party between the two formerly die-hard enemies was strange. But in Nepal, such sights
have become part of the usual drama of politics. When CPN-UML heavyweight K.P. Sharma Oli
welcomed CPN-ML general secretary Bam Dev Gautam at UML headquarters, he paved the way for
thousands of workers of the two communist groups to embrace each other. Until a year ago,
Gautam was Nepal's most corrupt politician, as branded by the UML, and his followers were
epitomes of the evil of communism. Oli once ordered his cadres to block the movements of
Gautam. But the two leaders have apparently decided to bury the past. In the history of
Nepalese communism, unification and splits come as naturally as friendship and enmity. Oli
and Gautam are the latest, but certainly not the last, examples. Nepal's Diplomacy CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar
Nepal is a masterful tactician. He has a remarkable ability to measure the moment and say
only what he needs to. In an interview with BBC Nepali Service in London, Nepal used that
ploy to evade a difficult question. When he was asked what had discussed with US Secretary
of State Colin Powell in Kathmandu, Nepal politely expressed his inability to provide
details. What Nepal actually seemed to be worried about was that if he disclosed something
in London, it would create panic in communist circles back home. Why rock the boat when
you don't need to? Koirala's Commitment Former prime minister Girija Prasad
Koirala, a seasoned politician by every measure, publicly announced that he would not
engage in backbiting any more. Then, in the next breath, he began criticizing Prime
Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for his "non-performance". Stressing that Nepali
Congress workers should stop hurling accusations against each other, Koirala urged the
rank and file to help improve the Deuba government's performance. Asked to explain this
apparent contradiction, Koirala said he was only offering suggestions. Unemployed Actors Unemployment in other sectors of the
economy is perhaps only to be expected during these strained times. But the intensity of
joblessness that has suddenly gripped the thriving film industry today is surprising.
Following an upsurge in violence activities, film producers have started to rethink about
new productions. This is the reason why top-notch actors and actresses like Rajesh Hamal,
Niruta Singh, Bipana Thapa, Karishma Manandhar and Shree Krishna Shrestha have had some
respite. When the overall economy is not doing well, problems will seep into all sectors,
sooner or later.
House Divided At a time when all other political parties
are busy chanting the mantra of unity, Rastriya Prajatantra Party leaders are racing
against time to settle differences among their own top brass. Former prime minister and
senior RPP leader Lokendra Bahadur Chand seems to be missing from almost all programs,
including two major ones organized by the RPP. The ex-panchas, like members of almost all
mainstream parties, would have to iron out their own differences before aiming for a
broader consensus. Speaker's Speech House of Representatives Speaker Taranath Ranabhat is known as a politician with great flexibility. The man has started speaking from all sides of his mouth with such vigour that people have stopped predicting what he might say next. Ranabhat perhaps believes he is only exercising his constitutional right to free speech. As a speaker of the House of Representatives, Ranabhat may be right. But even a speaker must understand his limitations. |
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