National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

A Political Move

King Gyanendra expands his cabinet appointing two senior-most politicians of erstwhile Panchayat regime as vice-chairmen of the Council of Ministers

By KESHAB POUDEL

With the appointment of two vice-chairmen - former prime ministers Dr. Tulsi Giri and Kirti Nidhi Bista - in the Council of Ministers, King Gyanendra fills the political vacuum in the cabinet.

King Gyanendra (right) administering oath to Dr. Giri and Bista : Expansion of cabinet

This new move came after watching and gauging the reactions and the mood of Nepalese and international community. Given the strong commitment expressed by the King in his proclamation on constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy, one can expect the early resumption of normalcy and multi-party democracy.

“While expressing our unflinching faith in multi-party democracy, we would like to mention that economic and institutional reform will continue,” said King Gyanendra said in his national proclamation on February 1. "We are convinced of the fact that the Nepalese people are firmly committed to constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy.”

As King Gyanendra stresses for the revival of constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy soon after restoring peace and normalcy, what kind of roles the political parties and their leaders will play in the coming days will determine the future course of country. Thanks to the presence of strong civil society, powerful media and professionals, the reversal from the present open system is difficult.

Some leaders of Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, who are trapped in foreign country, are trying to create gap through harsh comments against the constitutional monarchy and the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA). “Those leaders who are outside the country are trapped in machination of foreign power and are playing the perfect role in a design of divide and rule,” said an analyst. “The harsh comments will make the situation more complicated and push the country towards uncertain direction.”

If leaders of country’s mainstream political parties maintain restraint and caution, there is possibility of early resumption constitutional process. If political leaders continue to harp extremism denouncing the monarchy and security forces, the situation may go to any extent or worse than the present one.

Former prime minister Dr. Giri, who has been living in India for the past many years, used to visit Nepal several times in the past creating a kind of turmoil in Nepali politics. Although he was said to have come to Kathmandu two weeks ago to attend the wedding in the family of his close friend, there were rumors about his political role, which came true.

After his appointment, Dr. Giri who had remained out of touch following his self-imposed exile to India and Sri Lanka for more than 13 years, returned again to the helm of Nepalese political affairs. Known as a hardliner of Panchayat politics, Dr. Giri - who opposed the reform in Panchayat system in 1980, is a shrewd political manipulator.

After late King Mahendra’s dismissal of elected government led by B.P. Koirala, Dr. Giri, who was foreign minister in B.P’s cabinet - was appointed first vice-chairman of a cabinet chaired by late King Mahendra (in 2019 BS). Dr. Giri -who was promoted to the chairman of the council of ministers later- resigned following differences with the King.

Dr. Giri was appointed as a prime minister last time in 1976 and he again resigned after he was indicted in Carpet Scandal in 1977. He was later cleared by the Special Court in 1979.

After a hiatus of two decades, Dr. Giri has re-entered politics this time when more than 50 percent of the population (belonging to younger generation) do not know about his personal political history.

“Our duty is to pursue the road map given by the King and bring peace in the country. I cannot predict how soon peace will be restored but I will assure you that our efforts will be to bring peace as soon as possible,” said Dr. Giri.

Most of the ministers appointed earlier were non-political. The appointment of two vice-chairmen Dr. Tulsi Giri and Kirti Nidhi Bista has filled the political vacuum. Dr. Giri has many ideological critics in erstwhile followers of Panchas as well as other political parties but even his critics hail his talent of handling politics.

Regarded as a soft-spoken politician, former prime minister Kirti Nidhi Bista is regarded as a good friend of Nepal’s northern neighbor. Although Bista resigned in 1979, he continues to remain in constant touch with Nepalese politics.

Both the former prime ministers have very difficult tasks to perform particularly to restore peace as per the wish of King Gyanendra’s proclamation to the nation. At a time when Nepal’s southern neighbor India, world’s only superpower United States of America and other European countries including the United Kingdom are pressing for early resumption of multi-party democratic process, restoration of freedom of press and expression, Dr. Giri and Bista have formidable challenges ahead.

By appointing Dr. Giri and Bista as vice chairmen, King Gyanendra now has two politicians who can defend and lobby for King Gyanendra’s actions.