Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

Oli : Divisions becoming visible

Son Also Rises

Whether the prime minister is elected or nominated, it makes no difference as far as the misuse of state authority is concerned. Just being the son or daughter of the prime minister creates enough space for the offspring to enjoy unconstitutional privileges in the official level. Although Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand was appointed following the dismissal of the "inefficient" Sher Bahadur Deuba, the premier is yet to show his efficiency to the nation. If his son's enjoyment of privileges at government offices is concerned, Jayant Chand is on a comfortable journey. A few days ago, Jayant showed how easily immigration and customs rules and regulations are cast aside for the offspring of the powerful. From the airlines office to the airport, Jayant was escorted by a couple of senior officials. At the customs counter, officials from the prime minister's secretariat bulldozed their way through the formalities, as Jayant walked through. The customs officials could do little but watch helplessly.

Koirala : Politics of dynasty

Unique Alliance

The CPN-UML has a unique form of leadership struggle. As the wife of ideologue and former general secretary Madan Kumar Bhandary is taking the side of K.P. Sharma Oli and Bam Dev Gautam, general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal is anxious to bring another leader of equal influence to his side. Since the alliance of Bhandary and Oli is very old, Nepal does not have easy task in countering Bhandary. Nevertheless, Pradeep Kumar Nepal, who recently recovered from brain surgery, is taking the side of the general secretary. Nobody knows how this would change the comrades' power equations, but it is certain that Bhandary will have a tough time in case Pradeep Nepal stands against her.

Deuba : Mud-slinging match

Personal Politics

Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala and his one-time disciple, ex-premier Sher Bahadur Deuba, have been waging a war or words. Each has been accusing the other as a betrayer and ally of regressive forces. Despite their deep personal differences, the leaders of the rival Congress parties do not have an ideological basis to justify the party's split. In absence of political ideology, the leaders of the oldest democratic party are struggling to establish their grip through personal vendetta.

Family Matters

Although our democratic leaders deploy all their skills in asserting their democratic credentials, they don't see any harm in appointing leaders on the basis of family ties. At a time when Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala is searching for a family member to succeed him, Nepal Sadbhavana Party leaders, too, have urged the widow of founder president Gajendra Narayan Singh to lead the party. If the political course continues to follow the present trend, other parties, too, will opt for the nomination of son, daughter or nephew to leadership positions. That would be in full conformity with South Asian politics.