National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Divided And Undecided

Even after making a series of blunders, some second-generation Congress leaders still cannot see the need for a unified voice

By A CORRESSPONDENT

Although the Nepali Congress has a long history of struggle and contains people who have made great sacrifices for the cause of democracy, it lacks enough leaders with firm convictions and reconciliatory approach. Whether in the case of internal or external issues, some Nepali Congress leaders are known for their controversial and contradictory stands during times of crisis.

Second-generation leaders Ram Chandra Poudel, Narahari Acharya, Mahesh Acharya and Amod Prasad Upadhyaya are among the more controversial personalities. They even challenge the views of party president Girija Prasad Koirala and continue to enjoy privileges. What they do and say always influences the mainstream of the party. Shailaja Acharya and Nona Koirala, too, also follow the line adopted by the four men.

Poudel has a long history of betrayal against the party president. Koirala picked up Mahesh Acharya, Narahari Acharya and Upadhyaya from virtual oblivion. Of course, Nona Koirala and Shailaja Acharya have their own long history of democratic struggle.

Groomed by the Congress supremo, Poudel and Shailaja Acharya are in the leadership race. But all six leaders have stood against Koirala whenever he has made any effort for reconciliation.

Poudel, who resigned as Koirala's deputy prime minister just a few hours after the mobilization of the army in Holeri last year, encouraged Sher Bahadur Deuba to take hostile stand against the party president. His stratagem eventually helped Deuba succeed Koirala as head of government. As deputy prime minister, Poudel also spoke out against King Gyanendra in connection with Maoist activities, embarrassing Koirala.

When Koirala sent a delegation to the all-party meeting organized by then-prime minister Deuba for talks on election matters, Mahesh Acharya, Narahari Acharya and Poudel grilled party spokesman Arjun Narsingh KC, Govinda Raj Joshi and Krishna Prasad Sitaula for consenting to the postponement of the polls.

Mahesh Acharya, Narahari Acharya and Poudel were swift to change their stand after King Gyanendra relieved Deuba from the premiership last Friday. The trio who were vehemently opposed to Deuba's move to postpone the elections now urged Koirala to back him.

The opinions Poudel and Acharya duo express in the party always make headlines. In many cases, Girija Prasad Koirala has had to endorse their views. "I don't understand why these leaders receive such prominence despite their hostile views on the party," a Congress leader said on condition of anonymity. "When we were struggling for survival, Acharya duo were nowhere in the picture."

Interestingly, Mahesh Acharya, Narahari Acharya and Poudel were said to have received the backing of Nona Koirala, Shailaja Acharya and Amod Upadhyaya in raising many fundamental questions regarding the King's actions. It took the party chief nearly four hours to compel them to accept the final line, which avoids confrontation with the palace.

"Koirala clearly mentioned his reconciliatory stand when taking the stand against the King's address, knowing that a confrontational attitude will not help to find a solution to the present political impasse," said a Congress insider. "The problem with the Nepali Congress is that we don't have people with conviction and ideas. Most of the people who run the organization don't abide by the party line."

Narahari Acharya has always been controversial. When he was spokesman of the party, he made several needless remarks against the constitutional monarchy. Acharya's comments in the immediate aftermath of last year's tragedy at Narayanhity royal palace forced Koirala to seek his resignation. Claiming to be a staunch Koirala loyalist, Acharya's remarks created some distrust between the new king and the then premier.

Whether one likes it or not, Poudel, Shailaja Acharya, Nona Koirala and Upadhyaya, Mahesh Acharya and Narahari Acharya are in the forefront of the party's decision-making process. Shailaja Acharya and Nona Koirala even pressured the party president to push his daughter, Sujata, to the backbench despite her clear potential to win elections.