National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Unity Call

Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala finally paves the way for party unity giving new direction to the political course

By KESHAB POUDEL

Deuba (left) and Koirala: Hip, hip, hurrah ?

Nepali Congress (NC) president Girija Prasad Koirala still has the influence and capability to direct the country’s political directions. When he kicked out former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba nearly two years ago resulting in the division in the party, the country’s political process had landed in a difficult position.

After he joined hands with four extremists as well as moderate communist parties, the country has seen an unfortunate scenario where Congress workers joined the agitation raising extreme slogans.

The recent announcement by Koirala to pardon all its members - who had left the party to joint the splinter NC (Democratic) – is politically significant for the nation – which has been passing through a critical phase.

With the announcement of Koirala, who has been championing the individual freedom and liberal democracy in his six-decade-long political career, there is now an environment in which the former prime minister and leader of NC (D) Sher Bahadur Deuba and his followers could return to their mother party.

Octogenarian leader Koirala, by the announcement, showed that he has the political courage to take the decision on right time. His latest drive could also prove to be beneficial to Sher Bahadur Deuba, who is a potential alternative leader to lead the united Nepali Congress.

Although the proposal for reunion has come following the derailment of the democratic process, it has injected a new life in the political spectrum. The unity of Congress will have positive impact on the liberal democratic movement in Nepal.

The sudden statement of Koirala – made, as usual, from his hometown Biratnagar - has rocked the boat of extremists who had enjoyed all the benefits of division in liberal democratic party.

“Koirala’s announcement is illegal and immoral. How can he give pardon to those who were expelled by his own decision?” asked CPN-UML leader K.P. Sharma Oli. The worries of CPN-UML leader Oli, whose party has already inducted Bamdev Gautam who was publicly declared by his party in the past as a no 1 corrupt person of Nepal in the politburo, is understandable. If Congress unites, it will emerge as the largest party pushing the CPN-UML into a minority one.

Despite his many weaknesses Koirala is still an influential leader and a strong personality in Nepali politics. He has proved his vote-catching skills in the past. Nepali Congress does not have any other similarly hard working leader like Koirala. Former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba can cash Koirala’s personality to reap benefits for the Congress in the forthcoming elections.

Koirala, who is in his last leg of political career, seems to have realized that unity of Congress will be pre-requisite to bring the constitutional process back to track.

“Despite many shortcomings, Girija Prasad Koirala is an asset of Nepali Congress and liberal democratic forces,” said a political analyst. “Without him, Nepali Congress and liberal democratic forces will be leaderless.”

If a solution of present political stalemate cannot be found in presence of Koirala, it would be difficult in future to find any amicable solution. There is no other remaining political leaders like Koirala who is still unchallenged and can take any drastic decision.

Leader of Nepali Congress (Democrat) and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, who cautiously welcomed Koirala’s announcement, knows that he is going to be unchallenged leader after Koirala.

Whether Deuba responds to it or not, Koirala’s announcement has set the ball rolling. A large number of Congress workers in both the camps have already initiated the move towards merged. “ If Koirala agrees to give respect to us, we are ready to discuss on merger of Nepali Congress,” said former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.” Our strength must be recognized.”

Political leaders are judged on the basis of will power to take the decision on right time. Former prime minister and octogenarian leader Koirala has shown his will power by announcing his decision. It is time for Deuba to respond appropriately.

FSU POLLS
Message To Congress

Having fought dividedly Nepali Congress got a jolt in the student polls as most seats were won by the student wing close to communists

By SANJAYA DHAKAL

They fought this Free Student Union (FSU) polls on a common platform joining hands with the communists. They even harped the republican slogans that, in the past, were used only by the communists. But the student wing of the mainstream Nepali Congress (NC) – Nepal Students Union (NSU) – faced a bitter defeat in the polls.

What was the loss for NSU, was, however, the gain for All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) – close to the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML).

Student elections underway : Democracy in function

In a remarkable display of solidarity, the seven student organizations had fought in a ‘friendly manner’ and at many colleges, on a joint panel, together with common manifesto and code of conduct – but the strategy did not pay off as far as NSU is considered.

In fact, the NSU close to splinter Nepali Congress (Democratic) made a better standing in the polls winning the presidency in key colleges like Tri Chandra and Shankar Dev of Kathmandu.

In the February 26 polls held in colleges affiliated to Tribhuwan University (TU) and Mahendra Sanskrit University (MSU), the ANNFSU won the position of president in 36 colleges – in 19 of them, it won the whole panel. The NSU, however, won the position of president in only 13 colleges – in 7 of them, it won the whole panel. Trailing these two organizations, the NSU close to NC (D) won the position of president in three colleges. Other smaller outfits fared below them.

In the past NSU used to come out in the first place in the student polls with neck-to-neck competition with ANNFSU. “Nobody lost in this election. Democracy has won,” said elated Rajendra Rai, president of ANNFSU, after the polls results.

“We could not win as we had expected. But, all in all, the student spirit has won and the regression has lost,” said Gagan Kumar Thapa, general secretary of the NSU.

“The poll results showed that Nepali Congress is losing out its voters by allying with extremists. Besides, they must unite if they wish for maintaining their traditional dominance over the majority of population,” said a political science expert.

The student organizations had displayed a rare solidarity by agreeing to file common candidacy in this year’s polls. However, this decision could not be implemented in most of the colleges.

For the first time since the restoration of democracy in 1990, various student organizations affiliated to various political parties had joined their hands and declared to file common candidacy to fight the FSU polls.

The leaders of the seven student organizations have said that the student polls have indicated that the democracy is still strong in the country. “Quite clearly, it has shown that given hard work and commitment, even the polls for parliament and local bodies can be held,” said Rai.

The Maoists’ student wing had announced five day general strike on February 25-29 with the aim to disrupt the polls. However, their program flopped with people coming out in strong defiance to bandh. The student polls also witnessed encouraging participation with around 50 percent students coming to vote. The Maoists’ student wing was later forced to withdraw its bandh on the third day. “As such, it is clear that despite the Maoist threat, elections can be held in this country,” said Rai.

Meanwhile, the bad election results might have been one factor, which has compelled NC president Girija Prasad Koirala to call for reunion of the party. The positive consequence of the FSU polls could be that there would be another round of political permutations resulting in coming together of liberal democrats.