Show of Koirala

Whenever Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala chooses a course of confrontation using extreme language, large numbers of followers are with him

By KESHAB POUDEL

Despite his old age, Nepali Congress leader and former prime minister Koirala, who is a witness to all painful political changes with covert and overt actions by powerful external forces in the last five decades, is still a crowd puller politician.

Koirala : Extremism Sells?

At an agitation organized by seven political parties dominated by communist factions, former prime minister Koirala – younger brother of tallest politician of Nepali politics and popular liberal democratic leader B.P. Koirala – had no competitor in the crowd of more than 15,000, mostly young with extremist outlooks in New Baneshwor on 15 December.

“I am deaf as I cannot hear anything other than rights of the people. My eyes are blurred as I can see nothing more than restoration of full democracy,” thundered octogenarian leader Koirala. “My mission will complete as soon as the constitution is activated through the reinstatement of House of Representatives.”

When Koirala thundered political workers assembled in the crowd - from his arch critics to his ardent followers of various ages - applauded him. When Koirala was in power through popular mandate of the people, similar crowd had opposed all of his constructive moves.

Addressed by moderate extremist communist leader and general secretary of Communist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist and Leninist (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal to ultra extremist communist leaders like Amick Sherchan, Narayan Man Bijukchhe and Krishna Das Shrestha, who used all kinds of degrading and lowly words against monarchy and the Royal Nepalese Army, the crowd waited till the last minute to listen to the speech of octogenarian leader Koirala. Those radical leaders - who are now backing Koirala against the King - had done everything to discredit elected government of Koirala and the functional parliament blocking the whole parliamentary session for 64 days in the recent past.

Although his style is still much different than vocal leader of Nepali Congress late Ganesh Man Singh, it is unpredictable how the last leg of political career of Koirala – whose inner commitment to liberal democracy, freedom of individual and patriotism is still higher than any leaders of the alliance - will turn out to be.

“Only people can defend the country not by the King. There is a very little time for the King to choose whether he wants to abide by the constitution or remain as an absolute monarch. If the King chooses the path of absolute monarchy, no one can prevent the country from moving towards republic,” said Koirala, giving up political stand and philosophy of his elder brother B.P. Koirala who had strongly defended the institution of monarchy even when he was put in the solitary confinement in prison.

Unlike his elder brother B.P. Koirala, junior Koirala does not seem to have any philosophical attitudes in life but he seems to have a concept regarding the use and importance of power.

Struggle for State Power

In fact, state power is the real element in politics. To mould the society in one’s outlook, mere idea has no use. It is the state power - which changes the situation. According to legendary communist leader Vladimir Lenin, if you have the state power with you, you can give the society a shape that you want.

Koirala’s ambition is clear, as he wants to implement his policies and programs by exercising the state power. Koirala can reach into the power only through the popular support and he requires elected parliament for it.

Former prime minister Koirala was in power most of the parliamentary period but he failed to bring out any tangible result in earlier phase. Critics say that he did not have the concept to use that power for remolding the society in his initial phase. He is now fighting for it. Unfortunately, the concept is substantiated or supplemented while elements encircling him.

Agitators: In confrontationist mode

“The first half period of G.P. Koirala was marked by inexperience but he had improved in his approach and style in performing the official task in the latter half. In any democracy, an elected leader in the power has some tendency to commit mistakes due to the lack of experience in the first half of tenure but leaders gradually improve their performance in the next phase,” said a political analyst.

When he was providing leadership with due care and skill, they (opposition) made it impossible for him to continue in the office. But when Koirala is in opposition, he is always popular.

Koirala is an activist with full dedication. Though he has always appeared rash and unstable in opposition, Koirala always pursues the basic thing that was the apparatus to power - which he never ignored. He did not have that idealist approach of his elder brother B.P. Koirala. Girijababu is a ruthless pragmatic who would go to any extent to achieve what he needed. However he is a committed democrat and patriot having been convinced in his utility.

“I will not compromise with anybody till the power is returned to the people and democracy is restored,” said Koirala addressing the mass meeting. “I don’t think any compromise will bring change. We require powerful struggle.”

There are some elements who always vigilant to see whether King and Koirala (whether B.P. or G.P) stand united and counter the challenges the nation surmounted with. The moral courage with him is inspired by democratic ideals along with the history of sacrifice. His upbringing has injected a unique chemistry in him. Except Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Congress president Koirala is the only living person in Nepali politics who had an audience with Mahatma Gandhi. He had seen Gandhian political upsurge in India and Lalloos of the recent days. In Nepal, engaging in politics from the time of autocratic Ranas to the latest power centers has left several wrinkles over his face.

What one cannot see in his character is the action. Many people in his age have either given up politics or remained idle but Koirala’s style and spirit is still like that of a youth. Even extremist communists and populist broadsheets cannot avoid his statement. “Our only objective should be the struggle and the struggle against the autocratic King,” said Koirala – who was once denounced as a number one enemy by all communist factions. What a tragedy when Koirala was in the constructive phase with state power, he was portrayed as anti-national. Now Koirala is worshipped as a hero for destroying the same state authority.

Astonishingly his extreme outbursts can capture the excitement of any agitated and excited youth in the public demonstration. Nobody of his age is in the top league of the leadership anywhere in this region and anywhere in the world.

One may discuss it either in his favor or against, but nobody talks about his age and incapacity generated by it as the age has not barred him from contributing. Girija Prasad Koirala has obligation to fulfill as a moderate democrat, a dedicated patriot and the commitment which he has made to his mentor guide and his own elder brother B.P. Koirala.

Culminations of these entire tasks have been understood as the policy of national reconciliation. One is impatient to see when this octogenarian leader dares to come out with a real reconciliatory program. Extremists – who are in alliance with Koirala - are not the real people’s power. The people in mass and particularly the silent majority need a moderate politician of reconciliation consisting of democracy as well as national independence. Persons and images are not so important but what are important are ideals and institutions. This applies to Girija Prasad Koirala also and he has to see others in the similar perspective.

Understanding unity with the King, it is his task to reactivate the constitutional process and promote the cause of democracy. The importance of institutions is so high that politician like Koirala should not have indulged into personality-based reactions.

There is a long list of mistakes committed by Koirala but he has tendency to correct them. The last thing he needs to do is to write his own statements. Any kind of detailed agreement and drafts are beyond his skill.

Presently what is agreed in a so-called ‘Delhi Declaration’ was definitely in his fair name. A person like Koirala, who was prime minister for four times, should need to take care. There is a sincere anguish from the common people that he should not have agreed to put the national army under foreign supervision as army denotes the sovereignty of an organized state and he, too, knows that the state has not collapsed. One has to see how he corrects and continues with his fair image.

After all what has been his motivating elements in politics and what keeps him full of energy, enthusiastic and zeal to involve in politics. And in competitive situation, he has maintained his tallest position in the leadership. There must be some hard core inner personality which needs to be understood properly to rate Koirala’s quality.