Vulpine Greed For Power

Replacing Shah Dynasty with Koirala Dynasty?

First published in www.scoop.co.nz

Nepal’s current Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, during his five decades of political involvement fought in different subtle ways till 28 May 2008 to protect monarchy. He is now struggling to capture the post of the first president of Nepal after the Nepalis abolished monarchy.

The Nepalis do not want Koirala any more. He is psychologically, physically, medically and politically-morally unfit for holding any state post in Nepal.

Besides, Koirala has already become Nepal’s prime minister most of the times. His tenure so far has proved to be the worst in Nepal. He has never been able to provide the leadership the Nepalis need. The latest success that the Nepalis enjoyed regarding the republic can be attributed to the sacrifices of thousands of people primarily. He had no option to follow when the coalition of ruling parties decided in favor of the abolition of monarchy. His last attempt to protect monarchy failed. Even if he tries to set many serious barriers on the way to the full-fledged implementation of republic, he is not likely to succeed since the republic has been implemented as per the verdict given by more than 99.9% of the people and the coalition of political parties representing them. It should be reiterated that his status-quoist exercises have already been defeated in the coalition government.

Yet he is extremely power-covetous even at the age of 86. Since he represents elitism, status-quoism and even feudalism, traditionally powerful elements active under his old-fashioned vision may still create some troubles in the nation. Wherever he goes and speaks, he tries to demonstrate that things happen because of his individual power. He does not show his faith in collective conscience and efforts. He undermines people’s decades of struggle. Thus, he still upholds feudalism in the sense that he thinks he is superior to martyrs and anybody else in the country. So far his behavioral nature has clearly evinced that he is of the opinion that everybody should surrender to his personal will. This is the sign of feudalist mindset in him. This mindset has set several barriers to the peaceful and smooth transition of the Nepali society.

When millions of Nepalis were seastorming into the streets across the country demanding for the immediate end to the monarchy in April 2006, Koirala was still advocating for monarchy on BBC. After the Nepalis ended monarchy, he is stubborn-minded to become the first president.

Someone who fought to save monarchy till the date when the republic was introduced in Nepal, how can be have the moral authority to claim the position of the first president? People question. Because of Koirala and prejudiced coalition partners, there was no consensus for the choice of the first president. As far as Maoists are concerned, their request to make their Chairman Prachanda, the grassroot-oriented figure of the republican movement in Nepal, the first president was approved by the people through the constituent assembly poll. He does have the public-approved moral authority to become the first president. But his party has decided otherwise because they want to end the political deadlock created by the lack of consensus. They say Koirala as a life-long monarchist and status-quoist does not deserve the position of the president. They prefer a non-partisan national figure to hold the presidential position during this transition period.

Besides, Koirala does not care even about his life-long co-fighters within his own party. They have been sidelined. Nepali Congress workers at district levels demand for internal democracy within the Nepali Congress. They complain that the whole power of the Nepali Congress Party is undemocratically concentrated in the hands of Koirala family members and their nearest and dearest. Some even think that Nepal cannot move ahead withoi0ut first neutralizing the Koirala Dynasty.

It is the firm conviction even of life-long Nepali Congress Party workers that neither the Nepali Congress nor Nepal can go ahead progressively without liberating Nepal from Koirala tendencies. After the Shah dynasty nobody wants to see any other dynasty, Koirala or others.

Thus, the fate of the Koirala dynasty meets a question now while Koirala and his helping hands are exercising to replace the Shah dynasty with the Koirala dynasty.

Koirala and others do not have any national agenda of their own. They cheated them from the former Maoist rebels whom they had declared ‘terrorists’ and vowed to destroy with the help of India, USA and Europe. In fact, Koirala has power-addiction lacking medications. Even when he is dying on his bed with frequent oxygenation, why can’t he abandon the vulpine greed of becoming the nation’s head? This is the general public’s question.

It would be far wiser for the Nepali Congress leaders and workers to liberate themselves from the heavy impositions of the Koirala dynasty. There are hundreds of devoted and capable leaders within the party. Why don’t they dare to take the party responsibility in their hands? Do they always need to become the tools to satisfy the Koirala dynasty’s vulpine greed for power? Don’t the dignified workers of the Nepali Congress Party feel morally ashamed for their psychological detention by the Koirala dynasty?

It is almost pre-guaranteed that the Koirala dynasty will create many problems in the constituent assembly during the constitution drafting process. Obstructions will be created for the sake of the Koirala dynasty. Therefore, the period of drafting the new constitution will be a moral test even for the genuine democrats of the Nepali Congress. Thinking differently to create a positive difference in people’s lives is vital in this context.