National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Tough Course

Unification efforts in Nepali Congress invite two inevitable changes in Nepali politics

By KESHAB POUDEL

Whether one likes it or not, the ground reality is that political forces have limitations and compulsions. This also applies to the Congress leaders.

Having a long experience in politics, Congress leader like Girija Prasad Koirala knows his limitation and strength. The unity efforts initiated by Nepali Congress and calculative personal attack against former prime minister Koirala by extremist exposes where the unity is directed.

Koirala : Stand for unity

Extremists’ strong reaction against the congress unity is an indication that Koirala- who is now leading alliance with extremists - is the main enemy of extremism after the institution of monarchy.

Former prime minister Koirala - who is aware about his present unholy alliance with extremists – can change the political course in case his party unites again. During the tenure of former prime minister Koirala, the extremists were responsible for launching scandals and scams against him.

As soon as former prime minister Koirala tries to unite his party and join hands with his natural ally - moderate forces - for political settlement, newspapers with extremist leaning have started writing long charge sheets against him picking up all the issues.

Similarly, the rightist forces, too, are not happy to see the unity of Congress. Although both the forces have many differences, rightists and extremists have common motive against Koirala’s unity efforts.

Trapped between two extremist sides, it is not easy for Koirala, who is himself battling against political vendetta at the apex court – to give up the present alliance. But, former prime minister Koirala can consolidate his position by building confidence with traditional powers like monarchy, which is also falling in a different kind of political trap.

Koirala seems to have realized that his alliance with extremists is not permanent in nature. By opening the process of party unity, Koirala shows his inner intention.

It will take time for Koirala to break his alliance (with extremists) and return to his natural course. If he breaks the alliance right now, extremists with the support from rightists, who survived in political instability - will create havoc against Koirala.

“There are no other leaders in the liberal democratic side than Girijababu who is dedicated for the cause of liberal democracy. Girijababu can stand against all these difficulties and conspiracy. He has that metallic strength,” said a political analyst.

When country’s political process has been passing though a very crucial and critical phase, one cannot rule out the possibility that unity efforts of Nepali Congress can turn become a boon. If the unity is directed to strengthen liberal democratic forces, it will help to bring democratic process to right track.

In case the unity is aimed against establish traditional institutions, the country’s political course will head towards more confrontational way and will push the country into more trouble and chaotic situation.

By joining hands with the three extremist communist parties, Nepali Congress, a weak and divided force, has already created the trouble in the country.

Since Nepali Congress’ reign is still with the octogenarian Congress leader Koirala, who has already given red carpet welcome to former home minister Khum Bahadur Khadka along with some of his followers in the mother party inviting other leaders of Nepali Congress (Democratic) to follow the suit, one can still hope that the unity will be directed towards bringing the derailed process to right track.

Apart from making unity efforts, Congress president Koirala is still showing his support to the alliance by meeting CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal. Koirala and Nepal reportedly agreed to stir up agitations in coming days.

At a time when the country’s liberal democratic forces are still badly divided ignoring commonalities among them, outside force has major say in the political process.

“It is unfortunate that the country’s moderate political forces do not realize the importance of reconciliation among them. If all internal forces unite looking at their common interest, the country’s situation will change in favor of stability,” said an analyst.

“Our unity will give more strength to the process of restoration of democratic process,” said Koirala. “I will equally award my former party colleagues and there will be no discrimination against them once they return.”

Despite all out efforts, former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his close coteries are yet to give clear signal how they will respond to the call of party president. Whatever terms and conditions former prime minister Deuba wants met, he has very limited options.

“It is up to Deuba to decide whether he wants to be a leader of unified Congress party or just simply a leader of a faction of split party,” said former home minister Khadka.