“Both The King And The Political Leaders Must Exhibit Maturity And Reach Understanding”

Shailaja Acharya

SHAILAJA ACHARYA is a former deputy prime minister and a member of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of Nepali Congress (NC). A champion of democracy and believer of reconciliation, Acharya has been treading the middle path in her party calling for the return to the constitutional process. She spoke to KESHAB POUDEL and SANJAYA DHAKAL about her opinion regarding the current problems facing the country. Excerpts:

How do you assess the political situation at present?

When talking about the current situation, I would like to recall what B.P. Koirala (the late leader of NC) had said when we returned from exile in India in 1977. He had predicted then that the South Asia was going to become a conflict area. At that time, Bangladesh was born out of Pakistan and Sikkim had been merged into India . When I then asked what would become of our democratic struggle, B.P. had told us that if our nation was to survive as an independent state, then our struggle would not go in vain. Therefore, what I believe is that being a party with long history, it is the role of people like myself to bring the King, the political parties and the Maoists together.

So, what do you think is the way out?  

There is only one way out. That is to bring the extremists – those clamoring for republic and those in the extreme right – within the limits of the Constitution (of 1990). For a country passing through such a grave crisis, national consensus is of utmost importance. And as far as the demand for the restoration of House of Representatives is concerned, it is one of the good options, which will bring the constitution back to track. But if it cannot be restored, then we should not cling on to only one option. Holding elections is another way out. However, in the absence of these solutions, the country will have to bear heavy outside interferences.

What about holding elections?

Restoration of House of Representatives is one option. And another alternative could be forming an all party government to hold parliamentary (not only municipal) elections. If the security situation does not permit, then let us have the election in many phases. The current problem can be diffused by forming such all party government that holds elections. When places like Kashmir can have election, why not Nepal .  

You are yourselves said to be in a minority in the Congress party. What do you say?  

I do not think I am in minority. The middle-path, which I belong to, can never be in a minority in Congress party. Currently, a section of persons harboring extremist notions who lack Congress culture have occupied positions in party structure because of which there has been some deviations. Otherwise, the actual Congress loyalists living in the villages all believe in the middle-path. They want both the nation and the democracy to survive. I believe the nation cannot survive without democracy. It was due to wide Congress campaign during 1950 that the process of national integration began. Earlier, only this Kathmandu Valley was known as Nepal . Because of three elections held since then, the process of emotional and psychological integration has begun.

Are you hopeful that the core Congress culture can be revived?

I believe so. Even now you will find tens of thousands of Congress workers who – due to the long held traditions and history – adhere to the party’s core values and norms. Besides, people still take Congress as a centrist party, which can neither be republican nor rightists. Sometimes a number of Congress colleagues come to me and complain about the erosion of these values. But I find that the core values are still intact among the majority of Congress workers and sympathizers. And they certainly can be revived.

 

The King stresses on nationalism and the parties stress on democracy. Both also say they respect each other’s role. Then why are they so inflexible to find a way out?

It is also due to wrong definition of nationalism by so-called nationalists. They tend to overlook the fact that people form the core of nationalism. Those who preach democracy also should always remember that you can have democracy only after you have a nation. In order to strengthen the country, both nationalism and democracy should go hand in hand. As far as the third force – the Maoists – are concerned, they could be brought to the mainstream by addressing the socio-economic issues that they have raised like those of Dalits, women through amendment in constitution and by fixing certain reservations.

How do you look at the conflict between the constitutional forces?

The country has landed into most serious problem in its history. Now, even the numbers of players have increased. India always had interest in Nepal but now I find even the US, China have interests here. So we must have a safe landing for Nepal. I have not met with the current King. I think the King must also realize that the parties – despite all their weaknesses – represent the people. So, there must be dialogue between them.  

What should be the role of centrist leaders like you at present?

Our main role is to try and impress upon our leaders; make public our viewpoints and come out in the open. In order to save the identity of Congress party, too, the viewpoints of centrist leaders would be important.

But there are some leaders who say they should launch a do or die struggle against the King?  

I fear that if such a sharp polarization ever occurs in Nepal, then the survival of not only the monarchy but also the nation will be jeopardized. This nation does not want to see such polarization.

You and Girija Prasad Koirala are some of the few remaining Congress leaders who have watched B.P’s reconciliation from close quarters. Koirala is on his last leg of political career and you are in a shadow within your party. What do you say?

Based on my four and a half decade long political career, I can say that even though anyone makes extreme comments, it is only those leaders true Congressi who have the public confidence. And I think the people still see Congress as a centrist party.

Where does the B.P.’s principle of reconciliation stand now?

There is a strong lobby for reconciliation within the Congress party. The MPs who have been elected by people want reconciliation. I have been actively working for the Congress party since last 44 years and I find there are some elements within the party that want to deviate or destroy the Congress values by preaching about extreme ideas like republicanism.

Some self-proclaimed intellectuals are talking about full or absolute democracy and they are trying to influence the Congress party. How do you see that?

I have been extremely shocked at the way the democracy has been derailed. We had struggled for thirty years to restore democracy and now because of mistakes from a handful of persons, we have lost democracy.

There are some intellectuals who say that constituent assembly and not the restoration of parliament will provide answers to the nation’s problems. What do you say?

Yes, there are some professors who talk about constituent assembly. But I am clear about this issue. I believe that holding elections to constituent assembly will serve nothing but only open the Pandora’s Box. Once you announce constituent assembly, a plethora of demands and needs will arise. Issues like self-rule of Terai, Limbuwan, Khumbuwan etc will come out, among host of others. In that case, we will not be in any position to address the issues. These issues will overwhelm us. Therefore, the constituent assembly will be a suicidal move that will lead only to bloodshed.

How do you find the political language being used by the leaders on both the sides?

It is necessary for leaders to be disciplined and patient. It is obvious for them to talk about democracy but they must not use any words that can undermine the nation and democracy. Well, you can say anything if you want to disrupt the process. But if you want to get solution, then you must be disciplined and use proper words.

How optimistic are you about the politics?

I am quite optimistic. The King, too, is under huge international pressure. He must realize that he cannot achieve anything by undermining the people. Both the King and the political leaders must exhibit maturity and reach understanding.