As per his doctor’s advice, publisher and chief editor of Spotlight Mr. Madhav Kumar Rimal is taking rest for few more weeks. And yet again, I am writing the editorial note. Surely, the readers would miss the weekly editorial by a seasoned and prudent person like Mr. Rimal. But we request our valued readers to bear with us for some more weeks. We promise to try and pursue the same outlook and perception as set by Mr. Rimal through his thought-provoking pieces.

The persistent political instability in Nepal has roots in the unstable mindset of our political leaders. Stability in idea and outlook ensures political stability in the country. Changing opinions and beliefs at the drop of a hat would only create more confusion and chaos. As Nepalis stand witness to, we have had leaders who hold two different opinions on the same issue – one to pursue while in power and another to adopt while out of it. Take for instance their viewpoint on the present constitution. The same leaders had advocated that this constitution is the best in the world only a few years ago and now many of them are rooting for changing the constitution and demanding the Constituent Assembly. Non-ideological and opportunistic alliances are forged to justify their opinions. If political leaders could only follow their conscience, they could always be correct. Sadly, they give up their correct approach to justify wrongdoings of others. In present situation, if the political leaders firmly believe that the King is violating the constitution, it is their bounden duty to defend the document and institutions created by it. If political parties firmly believe on constitutional monarchy and parliamentary multi-party democracy, they must defend their cause whatever the circumstances. Unfortunately, the leaders have projected such an image that people believe they would deviate from anything including their own beliefs and commitments just to take revenge. Nepalis are not only witnessing the changing mindset of political leaders but also the basic guiding policies of political parties. One is compelled to say that this is borne out of an attitude of vengeance. Politics of the day is much maligned by desperate actions and reactions from political forces.

Whenever there is any major political crisis, people from all section remember B.P. Koirala, who had ruled the country for just one and a half years while remaining in opposition throughout his political life.  More than two decades after his death, B.P remains the only political leader who was acceptable to all. He became the most popular democratic leader and earned wide public respect because he took the same political stand throughout his political life irrespective of political fluctuations and difficulties he had to face. Without compromising on the democratic ideals, BP. Koirala pursued the cause of patriotism. However, these days there are tendencies among political leaders to speak in the tone that is suitable to immediate environment. Shifting political stand is an outcome of pursuing politics of vengeance. Consequently, action of one political force is immediately followed by reaction from another. This has dragged the country to the path of perennial division. The nation has ended up the loser. B.P. Koirala could not find strong and committed political followers of his national reconciliation but he avoided division among Nepalis. His unflinching belief on his ideology of national reconciliation made him a towering political personality. More importantly, his beliefs of national reconciliation are needed more than ever before for present day Nepal . We hope his brother and current president of Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala has courage to follow the path of his illustrious brother.

Nepal continues to pass through a critical phase. But we need not lose our courage. Our crisis is of a regional scale. Compared to Afghanistan and Cambodia , in proportion to population, casualty rate in Nepal is still minimum and in proportion to the economic standard, destruction is repairable. One can hope in the mist of dark cloud that Nepal will never have to pay the price that Afghanistan and Cambodia had to. We have already lost precious time and resources in political fighting and street battle. The time has come now to work together for the sake of the country. We firmly believe that there are plenty of room for alliance between the patriotic monarchists and patriotic democrats. We still believe reconciliation is the best way to bring these two legitimate political forces together to defend Nepal ’s national interests as well as democratic ideals. Sooner these legitimate political forces reconcile, better for the future of the country. Make no mistake, none will end up the winner if this tussle continues. 

Nepal is proud to be a neighbor of People’s Republic of China – which has always strongly stood for Nepal ’s independence and sovereignty. Five decades ago when Nepal and China established diplomatic relations, that was another world, deeply divided in cold war politics. The region, too, had many problems. China was trying to develop its economic base then. Now China is moving rapidly to become global economic power. There are enough possibilities for Nepal to benefit from the rise of China . There are ample reasons to hope that China ’s economic progress will continue to profit Nepal in future like in the past. We hope existing cordial and friendly relationship between the two countries will work for bringing peace and prosperity in South Asia in the years ahead.