PROLONGED POLITICAL CRISIS CAN INVITE FOREIGN INTERFERENCE
Sushil Koirala, Vice President, Nepali Congress
Sushil Koirala, vice president of Nepali Congress, has definitely carved out a solid niche for himself in Nepali political sphere. Koirala is also often held in high regard for his traits like honesty, softness and unambiguousness. In his interview with The Weekly Mirror, the influential congress leader shares his views on a host of issues pertaining to the current political scenario.
Excerpts:
What are the major factors hamstringing the much hyped unification of the two Congresses?
Sushil Koirala: Nepali Congress is in favor of coalescing with the NC (Democratic) from the top level. But, the NC-D is insisting to go for the unity by staring amalgamation from the local level. So, the process is taking longer period than expected. Of course, there is no alternative to the unity between the two parties.
Is there any sort of mechanism in place to unite the parties at local level?
Sushil Koirala: Currently, we are not in position to forge the unity at grass-root level. We have agreed on uniting the parties at district level. So, homework is going on for developing an appropriate mechanism for unity at district level.
What will be the form of power sharing if the unification takes place at district level?
Sushil Koirala: Talks are going on regarding this subject. But, we are yet to reach a concrete conclusion. The NC is the mother organization and nobody should bargain hard for seats and leadership. The agreement we have reached so far is that all the present central committee members of the both parties will also be in the central committee after forming the single congress. Similarly, general convention representatives and general committee members of the both parities will remain intact.
How do you foresee the possibility of the unity before the general committee meeting of the NC?
Sushil Koirala: I strongly believe that the unification process should see the light of day before the general committee meeting. We are trying our best to make it happen at the earliest.
It is alleged that the NC has deviated from the policy of national reconciliation propounded by the late B.P Koirala after the NC’s central committee decided to go for a republic. How much truth is there in this allegation?
Sushil Koirala: I must say that the policy of national reconciliation proposed by B.P Koirala is still as relevant as it was then. But, the policy must be redefined in conjunction with the prevailing realities. We have six decade long painful experiences of trying to accommodate the institution of monarchy. But, the corollary of our compassion towards the institution of the monarchy was always deception. Against this backdrop, it is not insanity on the part of us to mull over the option of a republican set-up.
Some intellectuals argue that the institution of monarchy is sine-qua-non to preserve the national sovereignty in view of the geo-political reality of the country. What’s your view in this regard?
Sushil Koirala: The future of the monarchy depends on how it presents itself to people. It is crystal clear that only those monarchs who have not acted in synch with people’s aspirations are abolished. In our context, we gave several opportunities to the king to remain as ceremonial head but he himself stifled these opportunities by craving for more political power.
B.P Koirala came up with the policy of national reconciliation in order to ensure co-existence between the monarchy and the democratic forces even during the autocratic Panchayat regime. In this light, is it justifiable to remove the monarchy for his 15-month long rule?
Sushil Koirala: King Gyanendra unscrupulously seized the people’s executive power and imposed dictatorship in the country. He grossly neglected our repeated call for the national reconciliation. Such despotic tendencies of the king propelled people to react accordingly. The NC was adhering to the policy of ‘constitutional monarchy’ till the 11th general convention of the party. But, unfortunately, the king didn’t think it appropriate to correct his move even after the NC dropped the ‘constitutional monarchy’ from its protocol.
Don’t you think that the NC has treaded the footprints of the Maoists by quitting the original policy of the party?
Sushil Koirala: What should be well understood is that the agenda of the Constituent Assembly (CA) was first raised by the NC in 2007 B.S. But, the then king Tribhuwan hoodwinked us by withholding the CA polls after he ascended to the power. King Tribuwan had promised that he would hold CA elections but his son Mahendra unilaterally declared the constitution in a despotic manner. In the general elections held under the constitution in 2015 B.S, the NC got the two third majority and, subsequently, formed the government with B.P Koirala as the prime minister. But, unfortunately, king Mahendra dissolved the parliament and imprisoned B.P. Koirala, the first elected Prime Minister of the country, after 20 months of forming the democratic government. The very move of the king barred B.P Koirala to implement his plan and policy.
Is the policy of ‘National Reconciliation’ still relevant to Nepal?
Sushil Koirala: The relevance of Reconciliation will never fade away. We still hold the significance of national reconciliation in high regard. As such, we are attaching priority to the eight-party unity. With the royal palace massacre some five years back, the monarchy has somehow lost the people's faith in it.
B.P Koirala never shared the same platform for the political mobilization along with the leftist forces. But, you are now collaborating with the radical communists. Isn’t it something contradictory?
Sushil Koirala: It all depends on demands of situation. Democracy was restored in collaboration with the left parties in 2046 B.S. Girija babu himself used to list Male, Mashale and Mandale under the same category. But, he was compelled to be realistic and cooperate with the leftist forces during the April Uprising in 2006.
Girija babu has recently said that there is threat to Nepal’s independence. Who is he alluding to by saying so?
Sushil Koirala: If the existing anarchical situation continues to engulf the country, we may have to face danger to Nepal’s sovereignty sooner or later. We are sandwiched between the two mammoth neighbors. They have also their own security interests.
Instability in Nepal is sure to affect their respective security interests.
So, they are always cautious to ward off any factor that may emanate from the instability of Nepal jeopardizing their security interests.
India is alleged to have fanned up the rage of violence in the Terai region. What’s your comment in the regard?
Sushil Koirala: Outwardly, it seems so. India and Nepal share common open border. Many criminal gangs and armed groups of the Terai are said to be sheltered in India. But, we cannot point finger at Indian government without any solid proof.
Is it because of unnecessary foreign influence in decision-making process of the country that propelled the PM to say that nation’s sovereignty is at stake?
Sushil Koirala: I cannot say about whether the foreigners are interfering in the government’s decision making because I am not handling any portfolio in the government. Girija Babu should be asked as to what prompted him to make such a comment.
Some foreign ambassadors are frequently meeting the Prime Minister. Their pro-activeness seems more magnified when the nation has to take some important decision. Don’t you think the ambassadorial activities should be carried out through the foreign ministry?
Sushil Koirala: It’s the issue entirely related to the government. So, I prefer to keep silent on this issue.
Is it not important to regulate the border in view of the intensification of criminal activities in the country?
Sushil Koirala: Of course, yes. India has also showed its readiness to talk about the issue pertaining to the regulation of the border. Additionally, the southern neighbor is also taking the subject of abrogating or amending the Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty 1950 in a serious manner.
What are the major factors that prompted Girija Babu to adopt republican posture?
Sushil Koirala: The mounting pressure of people has led us to opt for a republican system. We have leaned towards the notion of republicanism in order to comply ourselves with the changing people’s sentiments and aspirations.
A founder member of the NC K.P. Bhattarai came ahead to advocate for the continuation of the monarchy soon after your party decided to go republican. What is your opinion in this regard?
Sushil Koirala: The NC is a democratic party and it allows everybody to express his views. So, it is not sagacious to comment whether Bhattarai is right or wrong for supporting the monarchy.
It may be noted that out party leader Narahari Acharya even visited several districts with republican campaign before the NC embraced the republican policy.
What’s your personal standpoint about whether the monarchy should be retained or not?
Sushil Koirala: Being vice-president of the party, I am not in a position to say anything in this regard. As the general convention meeting of the party is scheduled to be held very soon, my personal opinion related to the monarchy can have serious impacts on the meeting. So, I don’t want to put my personal views on the issue at this moment.
The Maoists are vigorously raising their two fundamental demands- adoption of proportionate electoral system and declaring the nation a republic through the interim parliament. Is the NC ready to concede to these demands?
Sushil Koirala: The NC will not act as per the demands of the Maoists. We are in the politics based on consensus and their behaviors should not be inimical to the process of consensus building.
How severe will be the consequences if the EPA breaks down?
Sushil Koirala: Let’s not imagine what will happen if the EPA collapses. We are striving our best to shield the EPA from every possible disaster.
How important is it to hold the CA elections on November 22?
Sushil Koirala: The nation will be bound to face another civil war if we fail to hold the CA polls in November. Even India and China will be affected from the anarchy and disorder in Nepal which may eventually invite foreign intervention.
How logical is the argument that our neighboring countries want to see instability in Nepal so that they can expand their clout in the country?
Sushil Koirala: I don’t think the instability in Nepal will prove beneficial for our neighboring countries. What should be well construed is that the instability in Nepal will also trigger various anomalies in our neighboring countries.
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