National 2 (Spotlight Weekly)

A Sip Of Reconciliation

Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala invites prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa opening opportunity for reconciliation

By KESHAB POUDEL

If the ongoing political development is any indication, the country will find itself in a new political situation sooner than later. Although the process for new political equation has already begun, it is still too early to predict the exact shape of new political scenario.

In his nationwide address, King Gyanendra indicated the need for elected representatives to run the country but he did not elaborate how to constitute the elected representatives. At a time when five agitating political parties are demanding the revival of the House of Representatives and prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa is urging to hold the elections for the same (as well as for local bodies) certain differences remain among country’s major political forces.

CPN-UML, though it is supporting the revival of the House of Representatives, is floating the idea for holding elections after forming all party government under its leadership. After nearly six months of deadlock, this is the first time when all political parties seem to have closest to the agenda of elections.

“After the improvement of law and order, we will be in a position to hold the elections,” said Kamal Thapa, minister for Information and Communication and spokesperson of the cabinet. “We will hold the elections any time soon.”

Nepal (left) and Koirala : Softening stance

CPN-UML, too, is also not averse to the idea of holding fresh elections but it has its own arguments. “There require all party new government to hold the elections,” said Madhav Kumar Nepal, general secretary of CPN-UML. “This government does not have any legitimacy to hold the elections. I don’t think the elections can be held without forming legitimate all party government.”

Despite CPN-UML general secretary Nepal’s stand, prime minister Thapa is trying to woo Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala and his party. Prime minister Thapa has also made some progress in this front.

By inviting prime minister Thapa in an annual Dashain tea reception last week, Congress leader and former prime minister Koirala has shown certain flexibility in his stand.

Although Koirala’s new found allies and long time enemies – the three communist factions including CPN-UML - boycotted the reception saying that it was against their common stand to attend the program participated by the government representative, Koirala seemed to have made a meaningful point.

Congress leader Koirala’s decision to invite prime minister Thapa generated bitter criticism in his party as well as outside at a time when it has sent a signal of political reconciliation. Attended by Nepal Sadbhavana Party (Anandidevi), the tea reception was the first of its kind where prime minister Thapa shook hands with Congress leader Koirala.

Although Congress leader Koirala has defended his decision to invite prime minister Thapa saying that Congress continues to be a part of five party agitation, leaders of three communist parties have seen reasons to be suspicious.

“We are still a part of five party agitation and Nepali Congress still has similar stand as it had before,” said Congress leader Koirala. “We still have differences with prime minister Thapa.”

Congress party is still a member of five party alliance but the party, too, seems to have developed certain understanding with the RPP leader and prime minister Thapa as some of this government’s decisions helped Congress rather than CPN-UML. The decision of CPN-UML to oppose the move to nominate outgoing elected representatives in the appointment of local bodies indirectly benefited Nepali Congress.

As Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has weak base, the appointment of independent and less influential RPP workers in the local bodies gives political advantage to the Congress. Had CPN-UML accepted the government offer, CPN-UML would have control over 70 percent of the local bodies.

“We have appointed other members only after the outgoing elected leaders rejected our offer,” said Minister Thapa. “Our policy is to fill local bodies appointing outgoing members.”

On the issue of revival of the House of Representatives, the CPN-UML is clearly divided. CPN-UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli and Bamdev Gautam have outright rejected the possibility for its revival. “To hold the elections for the House of Representatives under all party government is the best way to solve the political crisis,” said Oli.

As local bodies particularly, municipalities and District Development Committees can influence the national and local elections by mobilizing the local resources, the CPN-UML which controlled more than 70 percent of local bodies could have had more advantage than the Nepali Congress, had it accepted the government’s offer.

“Since prime minister Thapa’s party is in no position to secure majority in the parliament, Nepali Congress will politically gain in case Thapa led the election government,” said a political analyst. “Congress will have major political advantage to contest the elections held by prime minister Thapa than CPN-UML.”

A section of Congress does not agree with these arguments and have criticized Congress leader Koirala’s move to make loose alliance with prime minister Thapa.

“Congress has a very little choice in case of contesting the elections. Reinstatement of Sher Bahadur Deuba government or appointment of CPN-UML general secretary Nepal as an election government will be a hostile development for Congress. Congress leaders are publicly opposing prime minister Thapa’s government but this government will be friendlier to it than the other two options.

Since Koirala is in his last leg of political career, he cannot wait for a long time to see the constitution of House of Representatives. If the House of Representatives is not constituted any time soon through the revival or elections, Congress party will be the main loser. Former prime minister Koirala has already indicated to transfer leadership to the second generation leaders in the party.

Since former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is leading splinter Congress with so many well-known personality and enjoying the blessings of former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Koirala has little option other than to groom new leader under his patronage.

Despite being deserted by many leaders, Nepali Congress still has many aspirants to lead the party in replacement of Koirala. Former deputy prime minister Shailaja Acharya, general secretary Sushil Koirala and Sujata Koirala are competing with each other from among the Koirala clan. Former deputy prime minister Ram Chandra Poudel and Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat are also in the frontline of leadership.

Congress leader Koirala, who has spent almost six decades in politics, has very little options. His sudden decision to invite prime minister Thapa in a tea reception ignoring other three parties could be a part of his well-thought-out political calculation.

“If Koirala wants to see his party return to the power with a new mandate, he must take some calculative risk to make new political alliance,” said an analyst. In the last four months of his tenure as a prime minister, Thapa has also shown more caution and reconciliatory approach. At a time when his own party led by Pashupati Sumsher Rana is yet to congratulate prime minister Thapa, alliance between former prime minister Koirala and prime minister Thapa will serve the interest of both.

Prime minister Thapa can transform his party from third force to second force in the political process. This will enhance prime minister Thapa’s image in the party.

“Once Nepali Congress and Nepal Sadbhvana Party (Anandidevi) leave the alliance, the five party democratic alliance will turn into a communist led front,” said the analyst. Political result of tea reception is yet to produce major change, but all believe it will have certain long term implications in the process of constitution of the elected House of Representatives.

“As the election cannot be held, revival of the House of Representatives is the only way to bring the constitution to the right track. Nepali Congress still holds this stand,” said Congress leader Koirala.

Despite new political development, the country is yet to see relief from political uncertainty and violence. By taking political risk, Congress leader Koirala has chosen to opt for reconciliatory approach. Whether this has come too late, time only will tell.