While Girija Prasad Koirala, the declared India friendly Nepal’s top political figure continue to fade away from the center stage of political power in Nepal, K. P. Sharma Oli, the senior UML leader has begun projecting himself as the post-Koirala power center of Nepali politics.
Experts opine, chances are very high that Oli could successfully replace Girija Prasad Koirala as he is equally close to the Indian regime, nevertheless, Oli who is already labeled as a pro-India man and an out an out a Rightist by his party insiders may have to first confront a powerful faction within his own party, prior he succeeds in his mission.
Mr. Oli, the former leader of proletariat now turned a feudal gentleman, had organized a lavish dinner at his personal residence November 3, 2009, inviting major political actors, PM Madhav Kumar Nepal, Unified Maoists Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Vice chairmen Mohan Baidya Kiran, Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai and Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Nepali Congress senior leader Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba and leader of the NC Parliamentary delegation Mr. Ram Chandra Poudel.
Unfortunately for Oli, the dinner could bear no fruits, thus he returned to his normal posture November 5, 2009, and begun criticizing the Unified Maoists’ Party.
Mr. Oli thereafter has been heavily criticizing the Maoists whenever he is handed over a microphone by the program organizers.
Now, that the Maoists’ Party leaders have already gone out of hands, Mr. Oli organized a quiet dinner, again at his personal residence, November 15, 2009 inviting only the sharp critics of the Maoists’ Party.
However, who is footing the dinner bills remains yet a mystery.
Defense Minister Bidya Devi Bhandari, Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Kumar Gacchedhar, Nepali Congress leaders Ram Chandra Poudel, Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, and UML leader Bishnu Poudel were the guests of honor at the Oli residence located in Balkot, Bhaktapur, November 15, 2009.
The media men were not allowed to enter Oli’s compound, reports claim.
Nevertheless, reports leaking out of the Oli-residence have it that Mr. Oli had instructed the attendees that the fresh ultimatum served by the Unified Maoists’ party were nothing but just a hogwash.
“We need not fear the Maoists’ threat”, Oli said quotes a NC leader who was also invited to attend the dinner as saying.
Likewise on Saturday, November 14, 2009, Mr. Oli had invited the UML leaders at his residence for a dinner.
Bidya Bhandari, Defense Minister, Bhim Rawal-Home Minister, Pradip Gyawali, Pradip Nepal and Chabilal Biswakarma were present at the Saturday Dinner.
Mr. Oli, say reports had asked the Home Minister Rawal to reconsider positively PM Nepal’s rebuttal to the Indian pressure to sign the extradition treaty.
Rawal is expected to leave for India for a four day trip shortly. Rawal was to leave for Delhi this Wednesday, however, some “technical” reasons made him to postpone the trip.
No design to corner Maoists
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