Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

Sujata : Following her father's fpptsteps

Rising Daughter

Although Nepali Congress is busy launching nation wide agitation making alliance with its bete noire CPN-UML, the two parties are also experiencing internal shifts in power balances. In the last two months, Sujata Koirala, the only daughter of Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, has been taking the lead in the agitation pushing her other family members behind in the race for party leadership. When Shailaja Acharya, former deputy prime minister, is taking anti-establishment stand and Sushil Koirala is yet to be acceptable to all, Sujata has emerged with clear advantages. Had Koirala's inner family members allowed Sujata to contest the elections of central committee in the last general convention, she would have naturally headed the party. Despite all efforts by other members of Koirala family who can't see her rise, Sujata seems to be in better position now. Whether one likes it or not, active and smart Sujata seems to be taking over the reins of the five decade old Democratic Party from his father. Her rise, if seen from the South Asian perspective, is not entirely new.

Bhattarai : Meaningful utterances

Censored Interview

Unlike other politicians, former prime minister and leader of Nepali Congress (Democratic) Sher Bahadur Deuba has his own brand of politics. Although his party does not have as strong organizational backing as his guru Girija Prasad Koirala, Deuba has strong mentor in the former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. In his recent interview to Kantipur Television, Bhattarai openly backed Deuba's party defending Nepali Congress (Democrat) and even called it as the genuine Congress party. Bhattarai, one of the founding members of Nepali Congress, termed Nepali Congress led by Girija Prasad Koirala as a "duplicate" (Nakkali) Congress. Despite its major political significance in favor of Deuba, the interview was neither quoted by any major daily newspapers including the sister publications of the Kantipur Television nor by Deuba's many mouthpieces. Black out of such important news by daily newspapers may have certain reasons. Interestingly, no body understands the reason why Deuba has ignored such remark by Bhattarai when he could have used it against his rival Koirala and woo the frustrated Congress leaders to his fold.

Marriage of Convenience

There are very few countries in the world where former members of constitutional recommendation committee toe their lines with the political leaders. Whether former convener who claims himself a constitutionalist or other former members affiliated with the agitating political parties, they do not seem to have any difference so far as interpretation of the constitution is concerned. Nepalese intellectuals and politicians have certain unique characters. When their interests collide with each other, they don't mind to burn effigy demanding even capital punishment. As soon as they have converging interests, they break all records of friendship. Till a few months ago politicians and ideologically indoctrinated constitutionalists had different opinions regarding the restoration of the House of Representatives. But now they have suddenly shifted their stands. Interestingly, nobody cares what was their exact written stand till a month ago.

Close To Soil

Congress leader and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala flies to his hometown Biratnagar whenever there are some important political developments in the country. He uses the native soil to launch political struggles. Although Koirala does not believe in astrology, he always declares political agitation and new courses from Biratnagar. No body knows the reason behind his frequent visit to Biratnagar except, of course, Koirala himself. Whether writing letter bomb against Congress supreme leader late Ganeshman Singh or announcing the dissolution of the House of Representatives or expulsion of former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba from the party, Koirala took these decisions following a visit to Biratnagar.