Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

The Badri Bunch

Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand's cabinet has some unique features. One is the inclusion of three ministers having the first name Badri. Deputy Prime Minister Badri Prasad Mandal, Finance Minister Badri Prasad Shrestha and Minister of Forest and Soil Conservation Badri Narayan Basnet come from diverse political, social and geographical backgrounds. Badri is a common name in Nepal's hill, valley and terai communities and the three ministers have become the latest emblem of this affinity.

Koirala : Comradely advice

Koirala's Adviser

Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala seems to have no loyal colleague in the party to advise him in times of crisis. For the last year, Koirala has been visiting the house of CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and announcing major decisions after meeting him. Nobody knows how a less experienced man like Nepal can advise septuagenarian Koirala who has spent his entire adult life in politics. As most of the old colleagues of Koirala have already deserted him, his decision to consult Nepal may be the correct choice. At least the UML leader is more trustworthy than Koirala's party colleagues who have set records of betrayal.

Confused Bastola

Nepali Congress leader Chakra Prasad Bastola is known as a man of confusion. In the last 12 years, the former foreign minister has made every effort to perplex his party leaders on vital national issues. As an architect of Godavari Truce through which Nepali Congress leaders Girija Prasad Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai agreed to bury their differences, Bastola has remained in the cabinet as a blue-eyed boy of Koirala, holding the major portfolios of foreign affairs and home. Bastola was even projected as a candidate for the prime ministership when Koirala resigned last year. Mysteriously, Bastola's name was dropped. Whether in the foreign ministry or elsewhere, Bastola was able to confuse party leaders and colleagues. Following the appointment of a new government, Bastola is now championing the cause of a constituent assembly along with some colleagues who were hostile to him.

Oli : Nothing is working

Oli's Misfortune

Despite his modesty and cleverness, CPN-UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli has always been kept away from playing an important role in the party hierarchy. Oli supported general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal four years ago when a major faction broke away from the UML. But he is yet to receive the trust of the general secretary. Even a newcomer and former leader of CPN-M leader Bharat Mohan Adhikary has shot into prominence. Oli, one of the founder members of the CPN-ML, is yet to have his voice heard. Instead of handing over authority to Oli when he is out of the country, Nepal designates Adhikary or Amrit Bohara. Does familiarity really breed contempt?

Deuba's Dilemma

Former prime minister and leader of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba seems to be in difficult times. His three powerful colleagues have been sent to prison on charges of corruption. At a time when other colleagues are getting impatient, Deuba is trying to convince them that his party has a future. As tainted former ministers in the mainstream Congress are roaming around freely, Deuba's colleagues are going to prison one after another. Come to think of it, if Deuba's party continues to be the only target of the anti-corruption agency in this way, it actually might have a future.

Fight For Division

The three-way leadership contest among Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) heavyweights Rabindra Nath Sharma, Pashupati Sumsher JB Rana and Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani has taken a new turn after lightweight Padma Sundar Lawati declared his candidacy for party presidentship. While Sharma, Rana and Lohani are in a strong position in the party, a robust election would add to the credentials of a party still facing an image problem. But the wide field has its downside, too. The RPP was divided after the last convention in Birgunj. Will remain united after this election? The four candidates know better than anyone else does.