National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Consensus On Leadership

Despite his silence, Girija Prasad Koirala emerges as the only consensus leader for the post of party president

By KESHAB POUDEL

Koirala : Man of action

Despite his old age, Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala is still active in his party politics. The octogenarian Koirala’s daily chores begin at 4 am in the morning and lasts till 9 pm. Along with meeting the party workers at residence, Koirala’s hectic work schedule includes attending mass rallies.

From early in the morning former prime minister Koirala welcomes visitors and discusses party strategy. At present, one can safely say that Nepali Congress does not have a leader who can accommodate all the factions in the party and command the party cadres like Koirala. In South Asia, Koirala is one of the few leaders actively surviving in the politics even in such old age.

Koirala lives in a room at the top floor of his nephew Dr. Shashanka Koirala’s house in Maharajgunj where many congress leaders prefer to meet him early in the morning that is before 5 am. Unlike others, Koirala’s daily schedule begins with the political dialogue.

His active life is responsible for placing him in the top league of the politics in Nepal. Whether one likes it or not, Koirala is a political leader who has faced various challenges. In the last two years, Koirala has been able to bring back Nepali Congress to the position where it was before its split.

Even as Koirala remains tight lipped, three second generation leaders of Nepali Congress have already announced their candidature for the post of party president in the forthcoming general convention.

Although age is not in his side, there seems no one to match his stature and command in the party to enjoy wide acceptance. Among the three contenders Shailaja Acharya, Ram Chandra Poudel and Sushil Koirala, not one of them have the charismatic personality or commanding stature to lead the party.

If Koirala gives up his claim to become the party president in the forthcoming convention, his position will be like B.P. Koirala and Ganesh Man Singh. As an active politician, it is impossible for Koirala to remain idle and helpless. “The reality is that Koirala needs the leadership of Congress party and Nepali Congress needs his charismatic leadership,” said a political analyst. “Reality and rhetoric are two different things.”

In his recent meetings with party workers, Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala, however, has asked all three leaders to develop consensus among them for the coming elections hinting that he will step in if there is a triangular context.

“At a time when the Congress is launching the nation wide agitation demanding the restoration of democratic system, party needs Girijababu’s leadership. There is no other leader in the country who can challenge the despotism,” said Sushil Koirala, general secretary of Nepali Congress. ”If Girijababu does not contest the elections, I will be the candidate for the party president-ship.”

Other contenders including Shailaja Acharya and Ram Chandra Poudel are pleading for the new leadership in the party. “The party requires new leaders to meet the challenges posed by the Maoists and undemocratic moves of King,” said former deputy prime minister Ram Chandra Poudel attending a public rally in far-western city. “Only a new energetic leader can effectively lead the party.”

Although a large segment of intellectuals oppose Koirala, he is still popular among his party workers.

Nepali Congress’s general convention is scheduled for the first week of February. Till now no second generation leaders have been able to secure the support from all the factions. If the differences among the second generation leaders persist, Koirala will emerge as the consensus leader.