Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

Ranabhat : Silence is broken

Ranabhat's Riposte

House of Representatives Speaker Taranath Ranabhat has broken his political silence after a long time. The speaker simply couldn't put up with what he was hearing about the constitution. Ranabhat stood out in defense of the constitution by criticizing the opinion of Nepali Congress colleague Narahari Acharya, who is busy demanding an election for a constituent assembly. Ranabhat rebuffed Acharya, suggesting that everyone has to accept his or her limitations. Nobody understands what limitations the speaker was alluding to. Ranabhat, a former lawyer, was probably hinting that it is not others' job to interpret the constitution.

Hamal's Entry

Rajesh Hamal is the latest film star to emerge on the small screen. He has chosen the route of a quiz contest. Well-educated and well-informed, Hamal has lured a large audience in just a couple of appearances. Hamal's talent on the small screen shows that the Nepalese film industry does not lack charismatic and intelligent people. He has just started his program and has to go long way to replicate his big-screen popularity on the small one.

Koirala (left) and NEpal : A huge gap in between

Divided Professionals

Nepalese professional organizations have their own way of working. Some groups that are deeply divided within don't mind taking the initiative to bring warring factions outside on a common platform. Nepal Bar Association's recent initiative in inviting the leaders of the three main political parties was a case in point. How can lawyers divided sharply along party lines believe they can unite Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Rastriya Prajatantra Party president Surya Bahadur Thapa? Well, there's no harm in trying.

Chand's Chances

Is politics the province of gentleman? No, say many. In any case, Nepal has a prime minister today who has earned a reputation for gentleness. Lokendra Bahadur Chand played an important role during his second stint as prime minister. He was instrumental in striking the deal that led to the dismantling the Panchayat system. It's a different matter that people don't give him credit for that. At a time when our deeply divided politicians are busy projecting themselves individually as prime ministerial material, Chand has begun a new stint. During his three previous tenures, Chand left little for people to talk about. Can he prove different this time?

Whither Transparency?

Despite assurances from Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, the country's central secretariat remains out of bounds for journalists. Although the new government professes greater transparency, it can hardly do so by keeping journalists outside Singha Durbar. The government has every right to maintain tight security in and around the central secretariat. But it must find a way of ensuring unimpeded access for media personnel.