Nepal PM perhaps saying : I will push the nation to the brink, save if you can

Jhal Nath Khana

Chairman UML party, Nepal

TGQ1: Where has the Nepali peace process approached? People suspect whether the peace process will at all be completed on time? What say you?

Khanal: Well, the peace process still remains in a challenging situation. The speed with which the past commitments and agreements has had got to be implemented, they are not. Though the voluntary retirement processes of the Maoists militia have tentatively been completed yet the integration process still remains to take place. The rehabilitation process has not yet begun. Though these have consumed much of the time thus it is logical that the population in general may have the thinking that the peace process may not be completed on time.

Yes! To erase the people’s suspicion is the duty of the government of the day. The special committee meet has to be summoned. The government too should convince the national army that we have agreed upon these points through the seven point agreement and thus command the Nepal Army to go ahead with those agreements. A consolidated effort must be in place in order to speed up the process of integration. The peace process has to be completed first which will facilitate the constitution drafting process.

TGQ2: Do you believe that the incumbent government led by Bhattarai will complete the peace and the constitution drafting processes? We had also heard that a panel comprising of some four top leaders had been formed in order to work for the formation of a national unity government? Is the panel still alive? It is being also rumored that Comrade Prachanda has proposed that a national unity government be formed under Bhattarai itself? Some even say that the NC is in favor of this government What say you Mr. Khanal?

Khanal: Mind it that this government is formed with the majority pattern. One needs forging consensus among the parties for a national unity government. Consensus among the parties is a must for the formation of such a national unity command which is what lacks now.

As regards to your attached question, the question is whether we succeeded in our mission or not? In essence this job is at best lies with the Nepal Maoists party. Let’s take it that way.

Impossible!

Prachanda has talked about such things at times; however, his talks have so far not been made a proposal from his party’s side. But the manner Bhattarai has been working and steering the nation, it becomes now impossible to think even such a consensus government under his command. There is no possibility of that eventuality as such. The FOUR point deal which he signed prior to becoming the country’s Prime Minister in itself is a flawed one. No chances to be a partner of such a government whose premise is based on faulty and illogical lines.

This is also a wrong calculation and an absurd presumption. Tell me which NC leader has favored this government? Give me just one example?

TGQ3: So this should mean that your party UML is not at all in favor of making Bhattarai’s government a national one? But yet Dr. Bhattarai opines that he will not resign from the current post come what may. If so than how long it may take for the formation of a national unity government as is being demanded?

Khanal: As the Sun can’t come out to light the earth from West, so will be it very difficult to imagine that a national government could be formed under his command as stated by you. It is just an impossible eventuality. Though at the personal level, I respect and honor him and possess regards as well for him yet the premises on which this government has been founded, I am making these critical comments. In fact, Bhattarai too used to talk of the formation of a national unity government prior to he assumed the post of the country’s Prime Minister, but later he got himself entangled in the play of majority game. If he reverses his previous line of thought then that would not only benefit him but will be a welcome gift for the nation as a whole. The nation will benefit if he retreats from his current stance and toes his previous line of considerations. As regards his talk of not tendering his resignation, well those who wish to ditch the nation often talk on such lines. Or else, each and every leader should be magnanimous and exhibit flexibility in order to ease the political process. The leaders should talk on how to unite the people.

Talking as regards to the formation of a national unity government, I would say this much that for it

to happen it has already been a delayed affair. Because of the Maoists, the peace process has already been delayed. If the rest of the unaccomplished tasks do not get completed then for all these lacunae and delays, the Maoists must bear the entire responsibilities. We have already signed one agreement which is for the formation of a national unity government in consensus. All that we need is that the agreement that we have signed be implemented by this Bhattarai government.

TGQ4: But the Prime Minister says to move a no confidence motion against him and remove from the current post. Isn’t it that so? It is widely believed that you for one have gone against PM Bhattarai from his day one as prime Minister? Why you are creating problems for him?

Khanal: It is not the time to compete with each other instead it is the appropriate moment to forge unity among the parties. If he says so, as you have stated, then that is very much similar to the saying that “I will push the nation to the brink…save if you can”. It is not the time to speak louder and speak in a haughty manner. It is not also a time to become bigheaded from the majority that one has been enjoying at the moment. He should understand these political fundamentals.

To tell you very frankly, I could be the one who hailed his elevation as country’s Prime Minister several times in the past. I had wished him all the best and expected that Bhattarai would make efforts in uniting the political parties, work as per the rising expectations and aspirations of the common men and had also wished his government a grand success in the beginning. But what appeared now that my best wishes poured on him as if it were a wishes for him to award posts to the corrupts and also to those who prefer the disintegration of the mainland. I observed such dangerous tendencies in his political personality. In effect, Bhattarai didn’t wish to seek wise counsels from others and ignored all those who wished his longer longevity in government. He did not want to learn from others. He stood against me and my proposal from day one after assuming the current post. Yet I preferred to assist him in his duties. But he spoiled the entire political atmosphere.

TGQ5: So who should lead the next government then? Is it that Prachanda is to replace Babu Ram? Is Bhattarai’s resignation the foremost precondition then?

Khanal: The Nepali Congress is ready to lead the next government so is our party-the UML also. May be the Maoists too are ready for leading the next government. May be some others could also be interested in this affair.

Anyone who enjoys political consensus among parties should be jointly approved by the parties. No one can dictate us to endorse his or her particular name. First Bhattarai has to resign and then let’s sit in the negotiating table. If per chance, the negotiating table decides and favors Bhattarai’s good name then he could become the head of such a national unity government or else it is next to impossible that his name will be provided consensus by the parties at the negotiating table.

Yes! Resignation is the first condition. I am clear on that. When I was the Prime Minister, it was Bhattarai who had been vocal in demanding my resignation stating that the rest of the things will follow only after Khanal tenders his resignation. I took him as a highly qualified political personality and the one who could also understand that my presence as the cabinet head was a problem for the country thus I tendered my resignation. Now I am repeating the same hoping that he will equally understand as to why I have been demanding his resignation. He should have understood it better.

Text courtesy: The Ghatana Ra Bichar Weekly dated February 22, 2012. Thanks.

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