Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

Democracy Dilemma

Although the CPN-UML concluded its seventh convention in Janakpur amid democratic fanfare, it has failed to impress the common people that it is a purely democratic party. In the concluding session, UML leaders preached the virtues of revolution, praising the role of Lenin and Stalin. Despite their rifts in the early round of elections, general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has once again proved that it is very difficult to defeat the incumbent. In communist countries, general secretaries hold the reins of the party as long as they wish. If Nepal follows that trend, many aspiring leaders could feel marginalization. However, nobody knows what is in store in the annals of Nepal's communist history.

Oli : Lost camaraderie

Shifting Alliances

In communist parties, alliances shift on the basis of personal likes and dislikes, not ideology. This is what one can see in the leadership of the CPN-UML. Till few years ago, K.P. Sharma Oli was considered the right hand of general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal. In the run-up to the seventh convention, however, the friendship broke. Oli tied up with his former rival Bam Dev Gautam. But the duo was unable to rock the chair of Nepal. Nobody knows who will stand against whom in the next convention.

Rana : House in disarray

Divided House

While communist leaders closed ranks right after the convention, Rastriya Prajatantra Party leaders are yet to join the bandwagon of the unity weeks after their conclave in Pokhara. Despite the call of party president Pashupati Sumsher Rana, his two rivals for leadership, Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani and Rabindra Nath Sharma, have not given any indication of joining the party's top policy-making body. RPP leaders are competing with the UML on the political stage. How can mount a serious challenge while their own house remains divided?

Sportive Spirit?

Sports entail competition. In the last 12 years, the National Sports Council (NSC) has been gripped by competition of an unhealthy kind. Although the council has seen more than half a dozen member secretaries, nobody made any serious effort to unite the body. The member secretary danced to the tune of the party that placed him there. After a long gap, the NSC leadership has gone to prominent national badminton player Kishore Bahadur Singh. The fragmented council may finally get an opportunity for revival,

Koirala : Proxy battle

which it is not an easy task, though.

Factional Fight

Nepali Congress leaders are yet to reconcile with each other. Although the party has split into two camps, the mother organization is still mired in factionalism. In the last election of the Nepal Student Union, the candidate supported by Govinda Raj Joshi was defeated by a protege of Sushil Koirala. Despite their pleas, Congress leaders are yet to realize the strength of unity. If the party is divided along junior leaders and factions, can there be a chance for unification with the other camp?