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Old Faces
Former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa launches a new political party including all the old faces
By A CORRESPONDENT
After nearly a year of exercise, former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa launched Rastriya Jana Shakti Party (RJP) with new flags and programs. In the presence of big crowds and media, former prime minister Thapa declared that his party will have more new faces in the future.
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Thapa : What next ? |
Known as a shrewd politician of the country, Thapa's new move certainly has political meaning. At a time when the numbers of left forces are growing in the country, Thapa seems to know where the vacuum is.
"This is just a beginning. Because of state of emergency, we are unable to hold the national conventions and cannot invite many people," said Thapa addressing a press conference. "One of the aims of our party is to meet the growing challenges in the country. We will work out a strategy to meet such challenges."
Interestingly, the new party was formed when the country is under state of emergency and most of the fundamental rights remain suspended. In the presence of his old followers, Thapa announced 31-member central committee.
Unlike his claim to add new members in his party, Thapa has ended up including erstwhile Panchas and his old hands.
Co-chaired by former finance minister Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani, overwhelming members of RJP are former Panchas and Thapa loyalists. Thapa appointed Buddhi Man Tamang as a member secretary and Navaraj Subedi, Hari Bahadur Thapa, Sarbendranath Shukla, Nayan Bahadur Swar, Narayan Dutta Bhatta, Renu Yadav and Chhiring Tenzing Lama as members.
"It is no more than old wine in new bottle. I have not seen any future of this party which is dominated by old Panchas," said a political analyst. "This party has only one objective - just to grab position."
Following his resignation as a prime minister a year ago, Thapa -who was harassed by his old colleagues in Rastriya Prajatantra Party -announced the formulation of new party inviting younger leaders.
"Most of the faces appointed in Thapa's party have already lost their public support and they don't have their constituencies," said a leader of RPP on condition of anonymity. "Thapa had made every effort to lure our party workers but he failed to do so."
The first move of Thapa was a failure but it remains to be seen how he can prove that his party will have fresh faces that distinguishes it from others.
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