Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

Inside Opposition

CPN-UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli is known as an opposition leader within his party. In the last 10 years, Oli has played the role of opposition in the UML pretty often. Although Oli took the side of general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal when the party split half a decade ago, he suddenly shifted gears and swiftly moved to the opposition camp as soon as the party united again. In the last one year, Oli has been speaking words that mostly oppose his party colleagues. He does not mind put a viewpoint, which is exactly the opposite to his party's official line.

Lone Crusader

Finally the Nepali Congress (Democratic) leader Sher Bahadur Deuba has declared that he will fight against the unconstitutional move of his dismissal alone. Despite the assurance from CPN-UML leaders Nepal and Oli, who have very good personal relations with Deuba, no body sees any possibility of inclusion of the former prime minister in the fold of the five party agitating brigade. Although majority of party workers are now with Koirala, Deuba, too, has strong bunch of followers who have long experiences. The recent blessing of former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai has already boosted the morale of Deuba's party. It is yet to be seen, however, how successful the crusades of Deuba will be at this present juncture when even the combined force of five party does not seem to be working much.

Strangely Relaxed

Prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa is said to be in a relaxed mood. And this amid continuous call for his resignation from not only opposition but own party, PM Thapa's cool mood definitely seems strange, if not bizarre. Following the decision of his party leader Pashupati SJB Rana to make moves to expel him from party, Thapa remains unmoved. At a time when all parties are demanding the government under the leadership of independent political leader, Thapa's expulsion may provide another lease of life to PM Thapa. By expelling from the RPP, Rana will ensure that Thapa will become an ëindependent' political leader ñ exactly what the opposition parties like UML are demanding. Then this ëindependent leader' will be more fit to hold free and fair elections. In public, prime minister Thapa seems to be expressing his anger at Rana, but in private he seems to be happy with RPP president's latest decision. This is a game of politics where blessings in disguise are very frequent.

Poudel's Plan

Congress leader Ram Chandra Poudel is nowadays busy drumming up support for himself as he is considering to contest the next part leadership elections. In his quest to garner the support, Poudel is harping many slogans. In many places, Poudel seems to forget what he has said earlier. Recently, Poudel addressed two meetings of party workers but he spoke two different contradictory lines. When Poudel left for the third place, his party workers followed him curious to know what would be his third remark.

Small Is Poweful

Although he is a lone member (of parliament) of his party and crusader urging for the restoration of the dissolved parliament, Narayan Man Bijukchhe, president of small communist party called Nepal Workers and Peasant Party, is still powerful in the five party alliance. Bijukchhe can direct and guide agitation and no other party leader can defy his order. BijukchhBook reviewe claims that he is a hero of the five party alliance. At a time when all four parties are on the process to include former prime minister Deuba in alliance, Bijukchhe's one slogan (against his inclusion) stalled the process.