Nepal's Ex-King Gyanendra made right decision to quit Royal Palace

Have you already quit active politics?

Chand: How can I say that…I am a member of the Constituent Assembly representing my party. Yes, for some time now I am not actively involved in politics…may be there is no need for that.

How could you conclude that that there is no need?

Chand: I am more involved in the constitution drafting affairs. I have not been able to find time to visit my district (constituency).

Do you mean to say that you have had enough of politics in the past?

Chand: A politician when quits politics someone else will replace him. Thus one day he has to say goodbye to politics. This is totally a normal affair.

You have been seventy years old…there are people who at the age of eighty-five continue to be in active politics?

Chand: It is their choice…anyway I have not said that I will quit active politics.

Have you got any plans after you retire? Engagement in Social service sector…or something similar?

Chand: I am more interested in literature and I prefer reading and writing.

Now… tell us if you are satisfied with political course the county is taking after Nepal being declared a Republic?

Chand: To tell you frankly the political course is not at all appropriate. I cannot tell you that I am satisfied with the current situation. But there is the hope. I feel sometime that in the midst of regular political hotchpotches we will find out the solution. In the manner similar to the creation of universe, earth, mountains, hills…may be we will also find the elusive peace in midst of crisis. We are in the middle of a crisis. We can still hope that there will be unity among us all in the way we visualize things. We can hope that we will think identical in the days ahead as regards the country’s politics.

Are you hopeful that the constitution will be drafted on time?

Chand: Yes I am totally hopeful that the constitution drafting will be completed on time. If the big political parties can forge unity amongst themselves then it is definitely possible. The drafting process will be completed in a week or two…less than a week. But, there should be consensus. These parties must arrive at a consensus over important issues first.

What will happen if constitution drafting could not be completed on stipulated time?

Chand: We will be in further trouble if we fail to draft constitution on time. We, in fact gave the impression to the general public that with the election to the Constitution Assembly were the panacea for all the ailments confronting the nation and thus the problems plaguing the nation will see an end. In this respect failing to draft the timely constitution will certainly invite uncertainty.

It is also being discussed that failing to draft constitution on time would automatically lead to the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly followed by dissolution of the government and the president?

Chand: I don’t think that we will arrive at such a situation and in that eventuality we can not take such decisions.

There are also talks for Referendum to decide Federalism? Are you also the one who subscribe to this opinion?

Chand: There are some parties and leaders who are advocating in favor of a referendum to decided fate of some critical issues such as Federalism, Secularism and others. We are free to forward our views. But my point is that the decisions taken by Constituent Assembly will be endorsed by the CA itself. The CA decision will be not influenced by the view of a person or a single party alone.

It is also being said that Federalism is not feasible for a small county like ours. What say you?

Chand: Look we have to adopt liberal thinking. My point is that we must be open-minded. We must be totally committed to the preservation of our Nationalism and Sovereignty.

Let us analyze on economic grounds what sort of states are we going to form? Similarly we can also discuss division on the basis of natural resources or for that matter geographical basis. But let us stop making the mind that Federalism leads to secession. I once again urge all to adopt liberal attitude.

So you think that Federalism will bring success to Nepal?

Chand: My point is simply that we should stop making negative comments. Let us not make negative comments such as Federalism will lead the country to division.  That’s all.

Then are you in support of Federalism based on Ethnicity?

Chand: I am personally not in favor of the one adopted by the Maoists.  I do accept the fact that there are several ethnic groups in our country. We must maintain communal harmony. And we are all Nepali. If we could maintain the communal harmony then Federalism will certainly bring prosperity.

Do you think that King Gyanendra’s mistakes were primarily the reason for the country being declared a Republic?

Chand: Look this issue has been a part of the history now. Now it is up to the history itself to analyze this. Still, on the part of the then King, he indeed made some mistakes…I agree with this point. However, at the end he understood that it was the demand of time that he sidelined himself…and that he did very wisely.

Do you think that his decision to quit the Royal palace was his right decision?

Chand: Yes, certainly he made the right decision. I thought he was quite clever to sideline himself. This was good. In fact, he preferred no further bloodshed. Single wrong decision on his part would have led to further conflict and bloodshed. He in fact avoided the bloodshed. And I think this contribution must be evaluated time permitting.

He also comprehended that he indeed made mistakes? Do you mean to say that?

Chand: He indeed comprehended that he had made mistakes and thus preferred to sideline himself.

Do you meet King Gyanendra often?

Chand: Not quite often. On some occasions I do see him.

Do you have any complaints to make to King Gyanendra?

Chand: Now I have no complaints. I have had enough complaints then but not now.

Posted on : 2010-02-03 08:02:31

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