National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

“Different Political Forces Can Unite And Reconcile Through The Revival Of The House” — Sushil Koirala

SUSHIL KOIRALA, general secretary of Nepali Congress, has long experiences in Nepalese politics. Koirala, who has held several top positions in Nepali Congress, spoke to SPOTLIGHT on various issues related to forthcoming convention of Congress. Excerpts:

How do you see the forthcoming general convention of Nepali Congress?

This is a regular convention of the party. According to our party constitution, we have to hold general convention every five years. The convention will be held in accordance with the schedule. At a time when Nepali Congress party is leading political struggle against regression and working to find out the peaceful solution of the Maoist problem, the forthcoming Convention will be very significant.

As two of your colleagues have already announced their candidature for the post of party president, who is going to be next leader of your party?

When the country is struggling for its survival, the country needs strong leaders in our party. Girijababu (current party president Girija Prasad Koirala) is the only leader right now who has capability to continue the struggle. I don't know how many leaders have announced the candidature but there are no leaders in the country and in our party to challenge Girijababu.

Some of your party colleagues are saying that Girijababu is too old and that the time has come for the second-generation leaders to lead the party. How do you look at it?

I don't see the age has changed the spirit, dedication and enthusiasm of Girijababu. Frankly speaking, he is the only leader in our party right now who has been traveling extensively throughout the country. Every one knows how Girijababu helped to strengthen our party and bring it back to the position before split. When you don't have other leaders with nation wide acceptance and charisma like Girijababu, there is no sense in talking about changing the leadership.

Don't you think his old age will hinder the party activities?

Name any second-generation leaders in our party who are more active than Girijababu. How many times have our so-called second-generation leaders visited the countryside in the last two years and how many times have they attended the mass meeting? They are virtually confining their activities in the capital. As far as visiting the rural parts of the country is concerned, Girijababu is the only leader who visits every nook and corner of the country and meets with local leaders. Despite his age, Girijababu continues to play important role. His age, in fact, is an added advantage for the party. Thanks to his age, four agitating parties accepted Girijababu as their supreme leader. He has a long experience working with King and international recognition. In these circumstances, searching alternatives for Girijababu will be suicidal for the party and the country. Our party requires Koirala's charismatic leadership. It is absurd to talk about second generation and first generation leadership.

But, some of your colleagues are saying that the time has come to hand over the leadership to second generation….

Our party organization is almost under the total control of second-generation leaders. Sher Bahadurji became prime minister twice. Ramchandraji held the position of Speaker of House of Representatives and then he was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister. Shailajaji also played similar role as she was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister as well as vice president of the party. Taranath Ranabhat is now Speaker of House of Representatives. Of course, Girijababu is the president of the party but almost all second-generation leaders have been given important roles in the party. It is unfortunate to say that none of these leaders have shown guts to speak facts.

If that is so, why there is so much hue and cry?

This is the question you need to ask to those who are raising such issues. Some of our colleagues are very emotional and self-oriented. They can speak whatever they like. An individual might have his own likes or dislikes but what is important is the ground reality. Girijababu is still the popular leader and party workers want to see him continue as president. At this crucial juncture when democracy is under threat, only Girijababu's leadership can restore it.

But, some of your colleagues are saying that the constitution of your party forbids Girijababu from contesting the elections. Is it true?

Those who are opposing Girijababu have to show come cause. There is nothing like that. Girijababu can contest the elections of the party president without any hindrance. Our party's constitution does not stop him from contesting.

If Koirala himself decides not to contest, what will you do?

Girijababu knows the heart and minds of the workers. I don't think he will go against the wishes of party workers who are ready to sacrifice everything for him. As the democracy and constitution is derailed, he cannot refuse to carry out the historic duty to bring the constitutional processes back to the track. We have already seen that there is only one leader remaining now who continues taking part in the activities to restore sovereign rights of the people.

Many people say you are biased and that you need Girijababu to retain your influence in the party. How do you look at it?

I am not talking about this thing because I want to please somebody. I am telling you the reality. I do not need to be biased. In fact, I have rejected all the privileges and position given by the party. I declined an offer to be a minister and deputy prime minister in our government. Whenever party leadership demanded my support, I have humbly accepted them. I resigned twice as a secretary general and vice president of the party under the request of Girijababu in order to strengthen the party. I am a dedicated party worker and my earning is the affection given by party workers.

Then, why so many other Congress leaders are against you?

I don't know why people oppose me. As you know I always stand against corruption. I oppose any move to derail party. I believe that strengthening the party institution is the best way to unite the party. I always oppose a kind of system based on collective leadership.

What is the stage of preparation of the convention?

Our party convention will be held in Birgunj on March 3-5, 2005. More than 1500 party members will take part in the convention. The elections for the party's representatives are already in process. The elections of the district level committee will complete before the convention.

What is the main political agenda of the party now?

One of our agenda is to build consensus among political forces for the reinstatement of the House of Representatives. I hope that the reinstatement will solve Maoist and all other problems faced by the country. If the House is reinstated, all political forces including the King will unite under the parliament. According to the present constitution, the King is also a part of parliament. Nobody has any mandate to fulfill any political demand posed by the Maoist right now. Our party's central committee, an apex body, has already proposed three alternative agenda to solve the Maoist problem. Our party holds the view that amendment of the present constitution can address most of the demands of the Maoists. If the amendment is not enough, we are also ready for referendum. If these two alternatives are not enough, we will also consider constituent assembly. But before these things, you need a parliament first.

Do you see the possibility for the reinstatement of the House of Representatives?

Since there are no other legitimate institutions acceptable to all political forces, reinstatement of parliament can provide a place for negotiations. As all of us know, parliament is the weighty institution of democracy. We can build national reconciliation and consensus in the parliament. Different political forces can unite and reconcile through the revival of the House of Representatives.

At a time when the prime minister is talking about the need to hold the fresh elections, is there any sense in talking about House revival?

I don't think anyone can hold the elections at this juncture without the participation of all political forces. Without restoring peace and brining back the Maoists to the table, I don't believe that prime minister can hold the elections. This is just a political gimmick.

When you can hold the grass root level elections of your party, why can't you hold general elections?

These are two different matters. Party's election is internal and there are only a few participation. So far as the general elections are concerned, it will be held in much larger scale.

If the prime minister announces the date for the polls, how will your party respond?

I told you that the situation is not favorable to hold the free and fair elections. When you cannot hold the elections, reinstatement of the House of Representatives is the best available political option. There are no institutions right now to unite the country's political forces. We should have some sort of unity to preserve our national unity. Once House of Representatives is reinstated, all political forces will find place to unite.

Don't you remember main opposition parties obstructed the session of House of Representatives for 64 days even when you had a functional parliament? How will you guarantee that such things will not repeat?

All political forces have realized their mistakes. I don't think any political force will take any risk like in the past undermining the parliament. Once you reinstate the House of Representatives, the King will come out of political controversy and political parties will decide the political course.