Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

UML In A Fix

Gautam : Confusing signals

As usual, the leaders of CPN-UML continued to trade diametrically opposite viewpoints on critical issue of staying in or walking out of the government in last week's central committee meeting. And, as usual, the meeting, which started with a bang ended with a whimper. From CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal to his so-called opponent Bam Dev Gautam, all leaders were busy at the party headquarters Balkhu trying to convince their comrades. Finally, four days of heated meeting was concluded endorsing a consensus document that generally stated that 'the party needs to be a part of the government and the government needs to be a part of the party'. And again, as always, the UML leaders, representing all factions, have found something to cheer about in the party's decision. This is a typical way of CPN-UML leaders to settle the issue whenever there is a major crisis. Thanks to the intense opposition of the Bam Dev Gautam camp, ministers did not have to clarify on their own wrongdoings as their comrades led by Nepal came to their defense.

Mixed Party

The CPN-UML has people from different walks of life as its cadres and leaders. From journalists to teachers and from students to technicians, the party is full of persons from various profession. Although he was a journalist before turning to politics, Raghuji Panta (Labor Minister) might not have imagined that he will hold such an important portfolio at the time when the country is in crisis. It seems that Panta's selection as a minister was calculative and his recent actions to cancel the licenses of some manpower agencies; and driving institutes seemed directed at fulfilling neither his nor the party's or country's interest. The decision will only hurt the overseas employment sector. Then, whose interest Panta is fulfilling after all? Panta is not alone to take anti-national decision as his party has played a role of saboteur in the past as well. Panta's recent action must be seen as a part of the series of such actions by the UML.

Deserted Democratic

It seems that Nepali Congress (Democratic) is virtually on the verge of collapse since many of its founder leaders have already returned to the mother party Nepali Congress. If the recent actions by former minister and general secretary of NC (Democratic) Bijaya Kumar Gachhedar is any indication, it appears he, too, is poised to make that jump-over. Gachhedar recently accused prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for not working in the interest of the party. He argued that Deuba had not attended the party office since he was appointed PM. This development comes amid gradual desertion by NC (Democratic) leaders including Khum Bahadur Khadka. Whether one likes it or not, NC (Democratic) has failed to provide an identity distinct from its mother party.

Building Blues

After nearly a decade of restoration of democracy, Nepali Congress (NC), country's largest party, finally moved to its own building complex in Balkhu at the other end of CPN-UML's central office. Inaugurated by Koirala, the building complex seems to have enthused Congress workers. The NC's building, however, seems to have sent shock waves to the prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's party NC (D) - a splinter of NC. The new building means that more and more of his leaders and cadres will be deserting his camp. Apart from handling the obstinate Maoists, Deuba is now also faced with the challenge of keeping his herd together.

Thapa's Tactics

Former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa had declared that his new party would accommodate all those who are left by mainstream political parties. After resigning from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), former prime minister Thapa is trying to woo his colleagues to his side. At a time when he is talking about luring other party members, Thapa, strangely, has been unable to break free from his own party. It remains to be seen how Thapa will succeed to form a party at the last leg of his political career.