Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

Jumbo PM

Prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is said to be a pilot who only knows how to fly a Jumbo. From his first cabinet formed in 1996 following the restoration of the dissolved House of Representatives to his present third tenure, Deuba seems to prefer leading a big team. Currently, he is leading two and a half dozen ministers of four party coalition government. Not only is he content leading a big team, he also seems to have penchant for a jumbo delegation when visiting abroad. This time when Deuba went to pay official visit to India, he has included more than 70 members in his delegation. From journalists to politicians and from businessmen to officials, Deuba has given this chance of visit to all. Known as a softhearted politician, Deuba does not want to hurt anybody's sentiment and has invited all and sundry.

Nepal's Response

After a weeklong visit to the People's Republic of China, the CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has returned to capital. Although he is yet to issue any diktat, it is inevitable that he will come out with guarded response against the government's inaction on the recent mayhem. Those who are close to CPN-UML general secretary know that Nepal will issue certain decree this time urging the ministers representing his party not to speak anything about the mysterious mayhem. Declining to specifically comment on the event of September 1, Nepal has already hinted what will be the stand of his party. Although K.P. Sharma Oli - his arch rival and opponent in the party - has already condemned the government for failing to protect the public properties, Nepal does not like to take any risk by dragging his own ministers into controversy.

Gag Rule For Ministers

While the CPN-UML leaders are trying to gag the mouths of their ministers, the RPP leaders have given free hand to their lot. The RPP leaders know that their ministers know how to maintain secrecy at the time of crisis that seemingly originated from conspiracy. Although some journalists have already asked the Minister for Land Reforms Jog Mehar Shrestha and Minister for Science and Technology Balaram Gharti Magar about the incident, both of them declined to comment about it. During Panchayat days, there were tendencies to dismiss the minister whenever something went wrong or whenever they made controversial statements. Shrestha was himself sacked twice in the Panchayat days for commenting on controversial matters. In the last one month, Shrestha has remained in the news but has refrained from making controversial statements. Shrestha wants to avoid controversies by playing safe this time.

Thapa's Plot

There have been many ups and downs in the life of RPP leader Surya Bahadur Thapa. From prison to prime minister's chair and from a leader of factional party to a leader of united RPP, Thapa has experienced various positions. It has not made any major difference to former stalwart of Panchayat. Although some of his actions were regarded as most regressive, he is still worshipped as a progressive and liberal leader of his party. After he stepped down as prime minister, Thapa is now conspiring against the present party president Pashupati Sumsher Rana. In all his previous steps Thapa was successful but his effort to take revenge against his party colleagues - who did not mind organizing protest program in the street against his government - is yet to materialize. After the expansion of the cabinet, Thapa has felt fault lines within the party and is busy plotting the downfall of Rana.