If Khetan is correct then….

Last week, the valued readers of a vernacular weekly, published on 28 July 2002, had an unprecedented opportunity to go through an equally unusual interview of Mohan Gopal Khetan who is to Nepal what Dhiru Bhai Ambani was to India and Bill Gates is to the United States of America. Before we proceed to explore the interview given to the local weekly, it is apparent that we take a glance at the background of this candid industrialist cum aging intellectual. Mr. Khetan, despite being a business stalwart, is undoubtedly one of the choicest people who has closely seen and experienced the gradual economic and political development of this Himalayan Kingdom. He has been first-hand witness to the different phases of the political development of this nation and also to many a twists and turns in the Nepalese history---be it the establishment of democracy in the 50s, its subsequent abolition and the thirty long and the so-called dark years of the Panchayati regime. This is but an undeniable fact. His ancestors started their Nepalese voyage when they began trading in Nepal at the behest of the then Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher. Thus, he originates from a modest political background though he is out and out a successful and true entrepreneur. A successful pillar indeed of the Nepalese economy.

Now, a serious perusal of Mr. Khetan's conversation with the concerned local publication is enough to turn any conscious and sincere citizen of this ailing nation, both economically and politically, into a fit of indefinable mental turmoil. He very frankly and daringly declares, or discloses for that matter, the true and the naked picture of the present-day Nepali politics. Never, ever, had there been such an outright confession of the nexus between the politicians and the business people of this country. If what the businessman in question has expressed in the course of his interview with the weekly is taken at its face value, then it certainly gives the final confirmation that Nepali politics has reached its Doomsday. A confirmation that it has crossed the limits of corruption, of misuse of power, of the tailoring of politics for petty personal benefits and nepotism. He says, " I have never bribed anyone. But I have given donations. I have helped the political parties." He further says that doesn't believe in favoritism by paying money. But what is the difference between buying some fresh favors and ensuring the same for the future against some illicit payment made at the present? Will not these activities on the part of the political leaders and the elite business people, who are expected to belong to the highly responsible class of the citizenry, leave a long lasting negative impact on the future of this nation? It certainly and naturally will. In fact, dealings of this nature are the reasons for which our politicians' hands have long been tied to reach at any worthwhile political decisions. To be more specific, once our politicians make it to the Singh Durbar they fail to achieve what they pledge for during the election, they become crippled, all this because they can not do away with their mentors from the business world. Democracy has been the nuts in the hands of a monkey!

"Whenever politicians form the government, they are in a controversy. Every one has to put an end to his poverty, has to earn money, nobody loves the country", says the business magnate. If our honorable lawmakers are left with the slightest tinge of self-esteem and morale then they must feel ashamed of such a scathing comment from a person who claims to have practically donated hefty amounts to each and every person who claims himself to be a politician.

This piece has not been penned to elevate the ranks of the said business man but instead to expose the illicit links that the politicians of the present day Nepal who more often than not wish to continue with such relationships in order to give a facelift to their previous dwindling life-style(s) which albeit they do it at the cost of the national exchequer. This is a fact which has been very candidly and accurately brought to the forefront by a businessman who at times himself creates controversial news.

This piece has also been printed to let the Nepali citizenry understand that since the country and its "nascent system" is in the hands of such unscrupulous elements, that are the politicians, the nature of the future of this nation is more than obvious. If Khetan's revelations is also the message of the other businessmen from his community then the voters of this round of election must mature and take an avowal not to elect those corrupt leaders who have in a very brazen and blatant manner have eaten up the very economic potentials of this donor-driven beggar nation.

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