National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

“A Government Run By An Individual Belonging To One Party Cannot Hold Peaceful And Impartial Elections”

— Taranath Ranabhat

TARANATH RANABHAT, Speaker of the dissolved House of Representatives, is one of the younger and active leaders of Nepali Congress (NC). Speaker Ranabhat is presently playing a role to end the differences among political forces in order to resolve the prevailing political crisis. He spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues. Excerpts:

How do you look at the five party agitations at the moment?

I support the type of agitations like those held on April 6,7,8 and 9 –which were peaceful and non-violent. Such kinds of peaceful civil disobedience are commendable. So far as the violent agitation of April 2 and 3 are concerned, it is very difficult to justify them. Only peaceful civil disobedience can attract the attention of the King and help the derailed democracy to return to the track. We must not allow the agitation to become violent. Peaceful demonstration is a part of democracy and it is a legitimate and fundamental right of common citizen. We should avoid personal vilification.

Do you think the election call given by King Gyanendra at Pokhara recently can be attended to in the present circumstances?

Compared to King Gyanendra’s interview to Time Magazine and his address at Nepalgunj civic reception, his recent Pokhara address was highly appreciable. This is the only way out. Conducting elections and running the government through elected representatives are parts and parcel of democratic polity. The address delivered in Pokhara was very timely and positive. The King has also realized that democracy couldn’t run without elected representatives. Another important aspect of the King’s message was the stress he put on good governance with clean administration run by elected representatives. We have seen much corruption scandals in the last twelve years. The governments failed to deliver service to the people. We were unable to reduce the gap between the poor and the rich. The King also stressed the need for compromise and consensus among political forces. The King’s message indicated that the political uncertainty must not prolong.

The Surya Bahadur Thapa government has never cared to meet the mandate of forming all party government. Do you think more representative government must replace it?

After King Gyanendra’s address, the elections are now inevitable. Being a leader with long political experience, prime minister Thapa should have resigned paving the way for another all party government. Prime minister Thapa has already made a number of efforts to form all party government but in vain. At a time when his own party is not supporting him, how can he claim to form all party government? Prime minister Thapa has lost all trust.

Do you mean prime minister Thapa has completely failed?

He failed to continue dialogue with the Maoists and broker a permanent ceasefire. The unfortunate thing is that prime minister Thapa was unable to keep the Maoists on table. He has been unable to defend the King. When he has failed in all these fronts, there is no reason why he should continue. During his period, all political parties directly attacked the King. As a wise and experienced politician, Thapa’s great contribution to the country and democracy, at this juncture, would be his resignation. Thapa’s resignation is also going to be a relief to the King. When the King has expressed his eagerness for early elections, the government must make all necessary preparations for doing that. If the government is formed with wider participation of the political parties, it will guarantee impartiality in the elections. A government run by an individual belonging to a particular party cannot hold peaceful and impartial elections.

Don’t you believe that Nepali Congress leadership should come over to younger people in the party?

The party is in the process of transformation of leadership. Leadership cannot be installed. The younger generation leaders should prove their relevance and capability. As long as our respected leader Girija Prasad Koirala is leading the party, he will be an asset for us. Despite his age, Koirala is still more active than any other leader. It shows that age is not the only factor.

How do you see the liberal democratic party like Nepali Congress harping extremist slogans denouncing constitutional monarchy?

Derogative and extreme slogans would put us in defensive and weaken our position. Weakening Nepali Congress means weakening democracy. If democracy and democratic party are weakened, it will also pose threat to national coherence. Situated in a strategically important location, only the constitutional monarchy and democracy can guarantee Nepal’s national unity and identity. We need to be more patient and tolerant. We must stop accusing the King on individual grounds. Monarchy is an old institution with established norms. Kings may come and go but the institution of monarchy remains our asset forever. Being a human, the King might have certain strengths and weaknesses but the institution of monarchy - which has long history and association with the people – is inevitable for us. During the recent visit of King Gyanendra to the districts, people have shown how much they respect the institution and how deep rooted it is in society.

How do you see the role of monarchy?

The institution of monarchy is inevitable for us right now. This institution is the symbol of national unity. Monarchy is a unifying force to retain unity among different ethnic groups and languages. Monarchy is an established and unified force of Nepal. Being a democrat, I cannot go against constitutional monarchy in our country. I urge all the workers of Nepali Congress to maintain decorum while leading the agitation.

How do you think the Maoist insurgency should be brought to an end?

There are two-way outs including political and military. Military way out also does not mean totally defeating the Maoists. Mobilization of army does not mean wiping them out. Rather it is meant to defend the common citizens from weapons of terror. Because of geographical situation, we cannot win the guerilla war launched by the Maoists. Negotiation is the best way to settle the Maoist problem. The aim of military mobilization is one of the strategies to compel the Maoists to sit down in negotiation. Another strategy is convincing Maoists about the political reality of the country. Peaceful negotiation is the only way to end the Maoist insurgency.

You are one of the two remaining elected representative in the country. If you are given the responsibility of solving the problems, do you have any effective plans to do it?

I will accept that on only one condition. If my leader and party president Girija Prasad Koirala agrees to support me, I will definitely be in a position to accept the challenge. If my leader Koirala lends his support, I will succeed in solving the problem. In case of such support, I will make all out effort to settle the problems diplomatically as well as politically in a peaceful manner. I will also mobilize the army not to kill the Maoists but to put pressure on them to come to the table. After all the Maoists are also Nepali and they also want political transformation. If we can convince them and move diplomatically, there is no reason why we should not be able to solve it.

It is said that the leaders of bigger political parties have failed the people. Do you agree?

Some cases of corruption and bad governance should not blame the multi-party system, parliamentary form of government, constitutional monarchy, independent judiciary, political parties and respect to human rights. The failure is not due to any institution but it is a work of some handful of individuals. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal is still a very good constitution. You cannot blame corruption and bad governance as a by-product of all these liberal systems.

Do you mean it is an individual issue?

Of course, some bad individuals have done wrong. Like all other institutions, one cannot blame political parties for mismanagement. The mistakes are committed by an individual like myself. We have committed certain mistakes. Such workers are very few in number. In totality, this is the best system that we have. I see there is a future for democracy. If we work together on the basis of consensus, we will definitely achieve progress. I don’t see any difficulties to develop this country. Look at Nepal’s development partners. There are many countries around the world that are coming to support us. There is tremendous goodwill from our neighbors. What is required is a strong leadership to identify the challenges and meet them boldly.

The political leaders of the five agitating parties are accusing King Gyanendra of regression. Do you believe the King should have played a role of silent spectator?

The recommendation for dissolution of the House of Representatives was the result of pressure put on the then prime minister. The action of October was cumulative effect of all these events. In the present national and global circumstances, it is impossible for the King to go against democracy. Awareness of people is very high. Both the people of Nepal and the monarchy are now in the 21st century. Human rights and democracy are fundamentals respected and accepted by the world opinion. Poor country like Nepal cannot go against the world opinion.

Do you think there is any threat to democracy?

I don’t think there is any threat to democracy now. In case we don’t have democracy, we shall have to face great economic difficulties. If a farmers’ son like myself realizes this truth, I don’t think the King is not aware of this global situation. I am confident that Nepalese institution of monarchy – which has a long history– is knowledgeable about the present reality. Of course, we are facing certain problems. But democracy is a political system based on compromise and consensus. There must be certain give and take among political players to end the present political turmoil. This is not a time to identify whose faults and whose mistakes were responsible for the present situation.

Then, what is required now?

This is not the time to engage in personal issues and indulge in blaming each other. This is the time to find out amicable solution to the problems.

Who has to take the initiative?

The ball is in the court of King Gyanendra. It is the King who has to take initiatives to end the political deadlock. Leaders of political parties also need to show certain flexibility. They must work together to bridge the gap.

How hopeful are you about any compromise?

I am hopeful that everything will settle soon. I met our leader Girijababu. After discussing with him, I realized that there is a mood for negotiation. I want to see the door of negotiations open soon.

As a speaker of House of Representatives, what is the role that you are playing?

In audiences with King Gyanendra and meetings with Girijababu and other leaders, I stress the need to take positive approach on the political problem. There is just a crisis of confidence between the King and the political leaders. Political parties hold the view that King has crossed the Constitutional limit whereas the King sees that political leaders also violated their prerogatives. We need to build up confidence between the King and the political leaders. There is a functional constitution, which still is one of the best in the world. Once it is activated, all kinds of problems will settle. We can also accommodate the Maoists in this constitution through certain amendments. If we are talking of even accommodating the Maoists, there is no question why all constitutional forces cannot be accommodated in the process.

What about efforts towards Congress unity?

We failed to preempt the split of the party. The day before the formal split of the party, Girijababu and Sher Bahadurji had agreed to settle disputes. For this, Sher Bahadurji had decided to issue a statement and Girijababu had agreed to forgive all the workers. Unfortunately, thanks to the hard stance of some of our friends, this compromise was aborted and the party split. Their faces have been uncovered. I am happy now that Girijababu has taken a very bold step pardoning all the workers, Sher Bahadurji has to respond positively. Once we will unite, all our problems will settle. If we continue to remain divided, we don’t have any future. Sher Bahadurji has also taken with him a large number of our party workers. If we contest the elections divided, we will finish each other off. You know who is going to be the beneficiary of the split in the Congress.