National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

“Demand For The Reinstatement Of The Parliament Is A Part Of National Reconciliation” — Girija Prasad Koirala

GIRIJA PRASAD KOIRLA, former prime minister and president of Nepali Congress, is the only active political leader who had closely watched his late brother B.P. Koirala practice the policy of National Reconciliation. 82-year-old Koirala, who is now in his last leg of political career, is at the helms of affairs of Nepali Congress when the country is facing situation similar to that of 29 years ago. People want to know how junior Koirala views the national reconciliation. A man known for calling spade a spade, Koirala spoke to KESHAB POUDEL early in the morning on Saturday at his room in the residence of his nephew Dr. Shashanka Koirala in Maharajgunj. Excerpts:

Has the idea of national reconciliation failed?

It has not failed. There is no question of failure of national reconciliation as it is a vision reflecting Nepal’s geopolitical situation, which demands reconciliation among all the forces for its survival. We always need reconciliation between the King and the people. I think the parliament is a place for reconciliation because it represents the whole nation. Along with people, the King will also be represented in the parliament.

Where is the initiative for reconciliation and who is to lead it?

The initiative lies at the doorstep of all the political forces. Parliament will take initiative for reconciliation. There is also an international convention that the King is in Parliament. The parliament will automatically initiate the process of reconciliation once it is allowed to function.

As defined by B.P. Koirala in his several speeches that national reconciliation is a reconciliation between the traditional forces of monarchy and modern forces of democracy. He had no record of joining hands with totalitarian and dictatorial forces but you are launching the agitation along with extreme forces. What do you say?

I joined hands with other forces to make broader reconciliation between people and the King. Since all these parties are representing people, they also need to be taken on board on the course of reconciliation. The present clash between modern and traditional forces must end. Only reinstatement of parliament can end it.

Do you think that you are still practicing the national reconciliation?

I have told you that demand for the reinstatement of the parliament is a part of national reconciliation. I am still practicing national reconciliation.

Now the country has reached into a stage when only a person like you can give the final good bye or grand burial to the national reconciliation as you seem to be the only person in the public estimation at this stage who can revive and invigorate this far sighted dynamic and lasting political apostle? How do you look at it?

There is no question of final good-bye or grand burial of national reconciliation. It is valid for all the time as it was 29 years ago. Even if some one wishes to bury it, it is impossible since the country’s geo-strategic position demands the reconciliation between the internal forces. Looking at Nepal’s geographical position, there is no way other than following the course of national reconciliation. Whether I am there or somebody else, everyone will haves to follow the ethos of national reconciliation. National reconciliation will help save the independent identity and ensure the prosperity of the country. It will be also necessary for the sake of our future generation.

Then, how do you justify your alliances?

There might be some slight differences over the process of making alliances. At the time of BP’s return to Nepal, there was no parliament and there was a different set of political system. Now there is a parliament, which is still alive and the constitution given by the people is still there. Therefore, it is necessary that reconciliation be practiced through the parliament by making alliances with all the political forces. The King is also a part of parliament.

Don’t you think your party’s present actions are not in accordance with national reconciliation?

Almost all our programs and actions are in accordance with national reconciliation. The individual approach may be different. There are many kinds of people in the party. Some understand it, others don’t and some overlook it. So far as common people are concerned, they understand the importance of national reconciliation. This is a right time to revive and invigorate national reconciliation when large numbers of people are demanding reinstatement of parliament and activation of the Constitution of Kingdom of Nepal. This is the right direction of people towards the national reconciliation. It shows that people understand the importance of national reconciliation.

There are only a few persons like you with such a long experiences in politics. Don’t you think that the time has come for you to work as a leader of the country rather than a leader of Nepali Congress?

You cannot be a leader just by wishing to be a leader. A leader is made by certain circumstances. B.P was a leader made for a particular situation. I cannot claim to be a leader like B.P. But I have been following the path shown by him. I am convinced and committed that national reconciliation propounded by B.P Koirala is the only policy that can save Nepal’s independent identity and promote democracy. Our future lies on the national reconciliation. In course of time, every body will realize the importance of it and follow it.

Don’t you think that your age and experiences place you in the highest position of contemporary politics? Is it not your responsibility to provide a leadership role envisaged by national reconciliation?

I have not reached to such a high position of leadership like B.P. I am just a common and average person like all those who know very little about national reconciliation in its real term. I am just a small part of national reconciliation. What I am doing is just pushing the ideals of national reconciliation, which I have learnt through an open book. National reconciliation is not for particular group or party; it is for all. It is the property of all Nepalese. I am one of the persons who firmly believes in national reconciliation. I have abided by it all the time. I continue to believe that national reconciliation is a way to settle all the problems faced by the country. This is my faith and trust.

B.P. Koirala himself took the initiative of reconciliation with the King. Don’t you think you can take similar initiative?

I have held several rounds of meetings with the King but we have not reached into any breakthrough. My impression is that the King seems to be in no mood for reconciliation. I am launching agitation to press the King to come for reconciliation. We are demanding the reinstatement of the House of Representatives and activation of the constitution. If the King continues to take wrong decisions, it is going to be bad for the country and the King.

Why are you demanding the reinstatement of parliament?

Parliament is the source of power of the country. The King and the army cannot be strong without the backing of parliament. Parliament is made by people and there lies the strength of Nepal. I am leading an agitation with the objective of bringing all the forces into one place through the reinstatement of the House of Representatives. That way we can initiate the process of national reconciliation. Thus, I am convinced that there is a need to reinstate the parliament. Only after the activation of the constitution, can we talk about reforms.

You recently visited People’s Republic of China. What were the main foreign policy agenda?

Nepali Congress and Chinese Communist Party enjoy a long and wonderful relations since the time of late B.P. Koirala – my elder brother. I told them that I visited China, towards the last leg of my political career, in order to bolster the relationship further. I assured them that Nepali Congress would always value the concern and interest of its immediate neighbors. NC upholds one China and two system principle. Be it Special Administrative Region (SAR) such as Macau and Honk Kong or Autonomous Region of Tibet or Taiwan. Nepali Congress recognizes them as an integral part of People’s Republic of China. I assured them that Nepali Congress is committed to not allow the Nepali soil to be used for anti-China activities.

Did you discuss other issues?

I told them that multi-polar world order is the need of hour. NC believes in it since it will help create a peaceful, just, democratic and stable universe by resolving all nature of contemporary transnational problems. Apart from bilateral relations between nation states, the multilateral cooperation also should be the cornerstone of our international affairs – which will help us in exploiting natural resources and lessening conflicts- for the benefit of entire human civilization. I also discussed the need to strengthen UN system.

How did you find the Chinese response?

Chinese frequently mentioned the contribution made by B.P. Koirala to strengthen the bilateral relations between Nepal and China. My impression is that Chinese view B.P. Koirala as a popular leader of Nepal.