OFF THE RECORD (Spotlight Weekly)

Deuba's Records

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has set several records in the country's political history. He was the first premier to appoint more than four dozen ministers in the cabinet. His first government collapsed in 1997 following the defection of two MPs belonging to his own party. In his second tenure, Prime Minister Deuba has limited his cabinet size to 42, but he has made up for the shortfall by keeping more than half a dozen advisers. Deuba, who has appointed a minister and a minister of state in the Ministry of Information and Communication, has named two press advisers carrying the rank of assistant minister. If you have started growing tired of the man, just wait until he springs up his next surprise.

Deuba : Speechless

Helpless PM

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba seems to forget himself when he starts speaking in public. This was what happened when he was addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the recent SAARC summit. When answering reporters' questions, the prime minister depended so heavily on his spokesman that it seemed like Deuba was speaking on his aide's behalf. Deuba, who toiled his way up to the country's top elective office, probably didn't want to annoy his audience. But he sure amused them.

Boon For Tourists

Nepal has changed much over the past two months and one way to find out is by going to Tribhuvan International Airport. After the Royal Nepalese Army took over airport security, tourists no longer have to contend with harassment from taxi drivers and hotel representatives. That may help improve arrival numbers. But, then, what about when the state of emergency is lifted? Shouldn't the airport authorities start finding ways of making the current calm a permanent feature of the place where visitors get their first impression of the country?

Mum Gautam

CPN-UML and CPN-ML leaders have moved closer toward patching up their differences. On the ML's side, general secretary Bam Dev Gautam has been mandated to take all necessary decisions on party unification. But Gautam seems to have serious doubts about the real mood in the UML camp. To satisfy the pro-unity constituency in the main opposition party, the usually outspoken Gautam has decided to remain mum for a while. Gautam's silence, however, has given space for rivals in both parties to speak against unification.

Ranabhat's Stand

House of Representatives Speaker Taranath Ranabhat has developed separate ways of treating senior Nepali Congress leaders Girija Prasad Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. However, it looks like the former general secretary of the ruling party has changed his position lately. Ranabhat used to go to the airport whenever Bhattarai travelled abroad. But this time the speaker stayed away. Does this mean Ranabhat has adopted a policy of equidistance or equiproximity ó however you put it ó when it comes to party matters?

Ligal Language

For National Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Prithvi Raj Ligal, the opportunity to speak in public holds special meaning. Once he gets a forum, Ligal starts delivering lengthy speeches on various aspects of the state of the economy. Ligal concludes his remarks by thanking everybody for offering him the opportunity to say a few words. For some speakers, brevity is just not a virtue.