National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Koirala Prevails

With the recent decision of its central committee meeting, NC removes the ‘smoke screen’ of Constituent Assembly hyped by media

By KESHAB POUDEL

Octogenarian Congress leader and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has once again proved that Congress party under his leadership has consistent and persistent views on one point agenda: activation of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 through the revival of the House of Representatives to settle the present political impasse.

Although termed as inconsistent by some of his critics based on media reports – which Koirala often blames as being intentionally distorted - Koirala shows what he really stands for. By removing the ‘smoke screen’ created by media and some politicians on the issue of constituent assembly, Congress leader Koirala has again pushed his two-years-old agenda for the revival of the House of Representatives before searching for any alternatives to the present constitution including Constituent Assembly.

“We are sticking to our one point agenda that is the revival of the House of Representatives as the only way to activate the present constitution. Only through the activation of the present constitution, we can open the debate on other alternatives including amendment of the present constitution, holding referendum or Constituent Assembly,” Congress strongman Koirala told SPOTLIGHT. “Revival of the House is the only one agenda for the reactivation of the constitution.”

Thanks to Koirala’s commitments and determinations, NC has again established itself as a liberal democratic party expressing faith on the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal 1990 – based on multi-party democracy and constitutional monarchy.

At a time when all other parties that were the part of the formulation of present constitution are preparing to sacrifice the constitution, Koirala’s party stands side by side with the monarchy – which also stresses for the activation of constitution through the constitution of the House of Representatives through elections. King Gyanendra has already set the date for the elections of the House of Representatives.

Although the monarchy and NC under the leadership of Koirala share similar stand with differences only over the modality for constitution of the House of Representatives, they are made to drift apart instead of coming closer.

Whatever political stands they have, the monarchy and the liberal democratic forces have shown their commitment to the present constitution. Despite their commonalities of interests and similar views regarding the activation of constitution, patriotic liberal democratic forces and patriotic monarchist forces do not find any easy way for compromise and reconciliation.

With a long history of political struggle, Nepali Congress, an experienced liberal democratic party, has rejected the proposal of constituent assembly on the ground that there is no popularly elected body to decide such issue.

Led by Narahari Acharya, Chakra Prasad Bastola, Ram Chandra Poudel, Arjun Narsingh K.C. and Mahesh Acharya, a small and ineffective group (within the NC) but backed by strong elements like media, have pressed for the constituent assembly. However, supported by top leader Koirala, majority members of the party succeeded to re-endorse their proposal for the revival of House of Representatives for the activation of constitution during the recently concluded Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of the party.

“Whatever the differences of opinions the party members have, our party reaffirmed its commitment for the restoration of the House of Representatives as the only way out to settle the present political crisis,” said Sunil Kumar Bhandari, central committee member of the Nepali Congress.

Often misunderstood by media, Congress president Koirala, who is still regarded as a real leader of both the factions of the Congress, has attempted to allay confusions regarding the clarity of his convictions.

“One cannot judge Koirala on the basis of his rhetoric statements that appear in the daily newspapers intended for public consumption. What is important is to understand his commitments and convictions,” said a political analyst.

Interestingly, Koirala is a leader who commands absolute influence not only in his party but also in the breakaway faction led by the prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. The decision in the NC also forces Nepali Congress (Democratic) to recognize its limitation.

Although Congress leader Koirala has ability to unite the party, it seems that he is interested to play much bigger role now. Traveling from one geographical region to other, Koirala makes consistent stand at the last leg of his political career.

At a time when all other political leaders of his age have either retired completely or taken rest from active politics, Congress leader Koirala – who stays in a small room at the residence of his nephew Dr. Shashanka Koirala in Maharajgunj – is busy meeting party workers from all over the country and listening to their grievances from early in the morning till late evening.

With his whirlwind tour of five districts in Terai, Koirala –who is confident about his role - chaired four day central committee meeting actively participating in the debate.

Although some members have tried to influence the mind of Koirala, the twenty-nine member central committee meeting concluded after endorsing Koirala’s convictions following six day long meeting (July 4-9).