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"I Follow The National Reconciliation Propounded By B.P. Koirala And Girijababu's Ideology"
-- SUJATA KOIRALA
SUJATA KOIRALA , 51, daughter of Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala, has herself established her position in political and social welfare sector in Nepal . As the president of Susma Koirala Memorial Trust, a non-governmental organization named after her late mother, Koirala is dedicated to the cause of poor and underprivileged people. Sujata Koirala, who lacks philosophical and intellectual capability, is a hardworking organizer - like her father. Thanks to her daring and strong personality, Sujata has made many political enemies within her family as well as outside the party politics. Koirala spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on various issues of contemporary politics. Excerpts:
Your rise in the politics is reportedly linked, in one way or the other, to Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala's blessing. How do you look at it?
My rise in the politics has nothing to do with my father and Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala. I have my own supporters and friends in the party. I have been actively participating in all the agitation against the regression by the King in the last three and half years. He is my father and I am the only child of Sanubuwa (Girija Prasad Koirala. Linking Sanubuwa's personality with the rise of my political career is no more than efforts to embarrass Sanubuwa and defame my political contribution. I have been working in my constituency.
Do you mean you don't have any influence of Congress leader Koirala in your political career?
Truly, I follow ideological and political course followed by Sanubuwa (Girija Prasad Koirala). I am also a follower of B.P. Koirala's national reconciliation just like my father. I strongly believe that nationalism and democracy can go together. Only national reconciliation between traditional and democratic forces can bring stability and peace in the country. This is the influence that I have got from my father.
In recent days, it has been accused that you have changed the tone of your voice in favor of constitutional monarchy?
The stand of the party is clear. We want supremacy of the parliament and supremacy of sovereign people. For this traditional force and modernizing forces can go together. We have similar interests to protect Nepal 's interest. I believe that Nepal 's interest will be protected in democratic forms of government. My concern is on stability of the country and institutions. I don't have any hatred against any institution.
What about your interviews and comments in different newspapers when you were in brief exile following February 1?
I went to India , the United States and other European countries to build international pressure against illegal political detention of my father Girija Prasad Koirala and other political leaders. I was successful to release them. So far as my comments in newspapers are concerned, I was often misquoted - projecting me as a confrontationist and arrogant. I have already told you that I am true follower of National Reconciliation.
It is widely reported that Girija Prasad Koirala is concerned about your political future as well as other Koirala family members? How do you look at this statement?
These charges are hurled only to put Girijababu in difficult situation and defame political contribution of Koirala family. It is completely false charge against a politician like Girijababu who has sacrificed all his life for the cause of nationalism and democracy. I am surprised to read such statements from Congress leaders and his opponents who are well aware about this. He spends his entire life not discussing family matter but listening to the difficulties and hardships of party workers coming from different parts of the country. Every day, the first and the last telephone calls he received are made not by his family members but his party workers. Even at the age of 83, Sanubuwa visits hospitals to see Congress workers, attends social functions and other party related matters. He works more than 13 hours a day. Even in such old age when he might require intensive family care, he is living in the house of my cousin and not in my house.
Is it not true that Koirala family members have dominating role in Nepali Congress?
Some of our family members are occupying party's position but they have also made their own contributions. I have many differences with Shailaja Acharya now but her contribution and sacrifice for the sake of the party is much bigger than any other member of Congress. Sushil Koirala has sacrificed all his life in the process of strengthening the party. He is popular among the party workers so he wins the elections. In CPN-UML, there are also family politics. Some members are elected on the basis of contribution of their families but nobody raises such voices. Family domination is there in politics in India , Bangladesh , Philippines , Indonesia , Pakistan and Sri Lanka . Even in the United States , there is family politics. Nobody raises such issues in those countries. But some people are taking up this issue to weaken the political process in Nepal . The persons - who do not have capability to challenge his opponents - are raising this issue. I am ready to compete with anybody. The elections will decide who is popular and who is unpopular in the party.
How do you support your father now?
Although I am his only daughter, Girijababu is not staying with me. I don't have any regret over this as he is the leader of the country. He is committed to restore the rights of the people and supremacy of the people. As a daughter, naturally I wish he should be with me and I can take care of him at this old age. In his last leg of political career, Sanubuwa needs to remain as the guardian of the country not only as the guardian of particular family and person. Since he has given up everything for the sake of country, Sanubuwa is free to lead the country. He is one of the towering personalities of Nepal 's democratic movement. I don't want to confine his mission in my home and family.
How frequently do you meet with your father?
We meet almost regularly as he visits my house routinely. When I talk with him, he does not look like an old man. I feel happy with my father. We usually have a cup of tea together when we chat. He feels relaxed in my home.
It is often reported that you influence Girija Prasad Koirala in his decision making?
Girijababu is a man of commitment and principle. One cannot influence him on his decision as he takes all the decision on his own. Everyone knows that he is a strong and determined person and I have not seen him compromise in his principle whoever may put pressure upon him. Of course, he is flexible to accommodate all his party colleagues. He is very rigid in his principle and he cares for his own dignity.
Why so many scandals against you?
I have supporters as well as opponents in the party. I consider myself as a strong personality in the party. The persons - who have committed the corruption - are walking scoot free. But all sections are attacking me since I have been involved in the social work with a motto to uplift the life of poor and oppressed people. If I am punished for my mission to uplift the life of rural people, I am ready to face any punishment. As you know, I hardly spend an hour with Sanubuwa. He spends almost all his days in his
place in Maharajgunj. Other members of my family spend more time with him than me. I don't understand the reason behind criticizing me and projecting me as an evil person. Can you believe that a daughter wants to see his father's career ruined?
Why, then, there are so many news about you?
These are all conspiracies hatched against me. I was not involved in any scandal in the past. There are many people who are jealous with me. It is not a crime to be a daughter of politician. Since my mother died a long time ago, I traveled with him around the world when my father was prime minister. A certain section of elites of the Valley did not like it. I have not done anything against the country. Had I committed any crime, they would have sent me to prison a long time back. There are certain sections of people who feel threatened from me in politics. The government has done everything to harass me. What all they want is that I should go to exile.
Why do not speak out against such false charges, then?
Whenever I issued statements or organized press conference, no newspapers published my rejoinders. Many media even distorted my opinions. Some newspapers seemed to have assignments to ruin my political career. My political opponents are rich and influential than me and I am weak in terms of money.
Recently, there were rumors that the government is investigating matters related to you? How do you look at it?
I am here to do politics. I oppose the regressive move of King Gyanendra. I am personally targeted by many vested interest groups and they will do everything to discredit me and put me in prison. I am not afraid of such kinds of threats and pressures as our family members have suffered a lot in politics. My grandfather Krishna Prasad Koirala died in prison while challenging Rana prime minister Chandra Sumsher's authority. B.P. Koirala was also jailed for many years and faced charges of sedition with a demand of death penalty. I don't mind going to prison for the cause of people. I have done nothing wrong and against the interest of my country. I come here to live, not to go to exile. I love my country.
When you have enemies all around, how will you survive in politics?
I have already told you that I have chosen a difficult path as I follow the national reconciliation propounded by B.P. Koirala and Girijababu's ideology. Of course, time requires certain changes in B.P.'s policy in the changed context but I am certain that national reconciliation is more necessary now than in the past. Only through national reconciliation, we can restore democracy and preserve the national identity.
How hopeful are you that the democracy will be revived?
Like my father, I will not take rest without restoring the supremacy of the parliament and sovereignty of the people. I will sacrifice everything to revive the democratic process in the country. Ultimately people will be the winner.
In your party, a group has already forwarded a proposal demanding to amend the party statute giving up the commitment to constitutional monarchy. How do you look at it?
As a democratic party, every individual has right to express his/her own opinion. Finally, it is the majority member of General Convention who has to take decision. The debate is not whether to amend our party's constitution or not but our debate should focus on how to restore the supremacy of the parliament and sovereignty of the people. If we establish these two elements, democracy will be revived. This is not time to have unnecessary debates and disputes. We must understand what the people in grass root levels want. There is a gap between party's central leaders and district level workers.
Are you going to contest the elections for the members of party's Central Committee?
Yes. I will contest the elections for the party's central committee member. Being a Mahasamiti (General Assembly) member, it is my right to contest the election. In Pokhara last time, I dropped my candidature because of pressure from some of my family members.
But, some influential second generation leaders and your family members are opposing your entry to Congress politics saying that you have the backing of your father, who wants to handover party leadership to his family member. How do you look at it?
I am contesting the elections on my own and I have not made any request to Sanubuwa. I have my own identity in the party and I have my own friends and supporters. I don't understand the reasons behind the opposition to my candidature. One cannot impose leadership in the party. I have to prove my leadership quality. I want to stand on my own. Because of my popularity in the party and party organizations, many people are jealous with me.
What have you done in the country to prove you popularity?
I have been doing social works through Susma Koirala Memorial Trust in different parts of the country to support poor rural people of Nepal . I have made enormous contributions to the party and I am actively involved in almost all activities. I have traveled throughout the country. I want to contest the elections not for power and glamour but for what I want to serve the interest of 24 million Nepalese.
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