“Nobody Can Override Sovereign Rights Of Citizens” - KB Gurung

KB Gurung

http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/2007/englishweekly/spotlight/aug/aug24/interview.php

Nepali Congress general secretary KB GURUNG has had a long innings in politics. A member of Legislative Parliament, Gurung, who was elected from Ilam district in 1999 elections, spoke to KESHAB POUDEL and SANJAYA DHAKAL at Nepali Congress Central Office. Excerpts of half an hour interview:

What is your stand on various issues including the political disputes on monarchy, republican, federalism and proportional representation?

First of all, the priority of Nepali Congress (NC) is to protect sovereignty and independence of Nepal by championing liberal democracy. Nothing is greater than nation. So far as other political issues are concerned, NC has already said that it will accept the verdict of the sovereign people expressed through the free and fair elections of constituent assembly. So far as the election modes are concerned, all eight parties have already agreed that the elections should be based on mixed pattern. Nepali Congress follows the supremacy of the people.

Maoists have recently said that they want to declare republic from the interim parliament arguing that monarchy is a stumbling block against holding the elections? How do you look at it?

As I have already said it is for the sovereign people of Nepal to decide what kind of political system they want and what they prefer. No party has the right to override the sovereign rights of citizens. Nepali Congress respects the decisions of the people. Since all eight parties have already signed a document that the fate of the monarchy will be decided by the first meeting of Constituent Assembly, all of us must abide by that document.

Don't you think the present interim legislature has the right to declare Nepal as a republic as said by Maoists?

This interim parliament does not reflect the real opinion of the people. Thus, it does not have right to take such a major decision. Again, Nepali Congress will respect the sovereign rights of the people and we are bound by the constitution.
What exactly is the stand of Nepali Congress on all these issues?

Since we are holding the elections for CA, we have to wait for the mandate of the people. Nepali Congress has already said that people are supreme and they should be given right to choose the political system they want. One thing is certain that Nepali Congress is a liberal democratic party and it will oppose any kind of authoritarian system.

Despite your position as a general secretary of Nepali Congress, you do not seem to have been involved in any major decision making process. Since you are not involved in the process, who is responsible for working out all these agreements?

It is clear now where the 12 point agreement was worked out and where and when it was signed. Later on, several other agreements were also signed with the Maoists but there are only certain persons from Nepali Congress involved in that. Since home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Dr. Shekhar Koirala were involved in this process along with other members, they have to take responsibility.

As a general secretary, don't you think your representation in the eight parties meeting is necessary?

It is for the party president to decide. I cannot force my leader to include me in the process.

Some of you are raising concerns over the negotiation process. Have you ever discussed these things with prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala?
We have raised these issues several times at the central committee meeting of Nepali Congress and parliamentary party meeting also. Personally, we also air our grievances to party president and prime minister Girijadaju. Unfortunately, our suggestions are ignored.

If you say your suggestions were ignored, who prevailed over the decision then?
We don't know who prevailed in decision making and how decisions were taken. When we asked prime minister Girijadaju, he expressed regrets and unhappiness over some of the decisions. We often make efforts to convince prime minister and we often raise the questions but in vain. We also read in newspapers that there is a coterie around the prime minister.

Don't you think those who involved in decision making do not care about your party and/or the country?

Those who are involved in the decision making are also Nepali Congress leaders who know what are the interests of the country and ideals of our party. People around Girijadaju are educated but I don't understand why the results are not coming in line with their commitments. Since I am not a part of the process, I can just wish that they uphold the party's ideals and identity while signing any agreement.

It is reported that prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala was directed wrongly by a small group. How do you look at it?

You cannot blame anybody for wrong doing. Person of a stature like Girijadaju does not need any adviser to judge what is right and what is wrong. He must recognize who is misleading him and who is trying to rescue him.

How much debates and discussions are permitted in your party?

We discuss all those issues including violation of the agreement by Maoists and weaknesses of our ministers. Following intense debate, our party has already endorsed the suggestion urging concerned people to correct mistakes. But, the group which is responsible to implement them has undermined it.

What usually is the response of the prime minister?

Girijadaju accepts the mistakes and expresses commitment to correct them. So far as the correction is concerned, we have not seen any correction. It is very sad to see even prime minister's commitment not being fulfilled. Since Girijadaju is our respected leader who is now running in 84 years of age, we don't want to hurt him by arguing much.

Have you met prime minister recently?

Girijadaju's health is not good in recent days. Whenever we go to Baluwatar, Girijadaju is in the rest room and we are not allowed to meet him. My recent meeting with him was two weeks ago. There are some party leaders who have direct access to Girijadaju and they don't need any permission.

Some influential Nepali Congress members including former co-general secretary Govinda Raj Joshi, central committee members Laxman Prasad Ghimire, Binayadhoj Chand and Sunil Kumar Bhandari are raising fundamental questions regarding your party under your leadership, what is your ideological stand?

Yes, we all are concerned about the future of country and future of liberal democracy. This is a gathering of likeminded people of Nepali Congress whose only interest is to protect the ideology and identity of country. We never raise any personal matter. We are working to uphold the party's spirit - nationalism, democracy and socialism is the basic ideals of our party.

Don't you see yourselves as a pressure group?

Once you get the membership of particular political organization, you have to give up your personal interest and work to uphold party's ideology. We must abide by party's discipline and it is applicable to all. Nobody can go against the party's ideology. Whenever our nation's identity and democracy is under threat, we cannot remain silent.

You are organizing in a group but you said this is not a pressure group. What do you mean?

One must be clear that ours is not a formal group. Some persons of Nepali Congress sit together and discuss the lapses and lacunae of the party. When we feel necessary, we also convey these things to prime minister and party president. We don't want to create any faction in the party. Our aim is to advise party leader whenever the party goes out of track. Many decisions taken by our party is against the norms and ideals of democratic party.

How does your party president take your comments?

Girijadaju has not said anything about us. If concerns raised by us are wrong and personally motivated, Girijadaju must advise us whether it is right or wrong since Girijadaju is our leader. We respect him.

Some of your colleagues argue that your dissension is individually directed against the persons like minister Ram Chandra Poudel, home minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and prime minister's nephew Dr. Shekhar Koirala, who are now regarded as members of an inner coterie of prime minister. How do you look at it?

We don't have anything against any individual. Our aim is to raise concerns about the mistakes committed by those close to the leadership.

Do you see there is utility of B.P. Koirala?

As B.P. Koirala said, our stand is nationalism and democracy. If we fail to make balance between them, our party will lose identity. B.P. Koirala's views and ideas are always relevant to our party and country. As he said, there is a need for reconciliation among all the political forces to uphold Nepal's sovereignty and independence. We cannot bring long lasting peace in Nepal without that. His recently published book, Raja, Rajniti and Rastriyata gives clear picture regarding our country, democracy, monarchy and our party. At a time when the country has been passing through a very critical phase, Nepali Congress workers needs to follow B.P. Koirala's national reconciliation.

How do you see the peace process?

The peace process is not on the right track. Maoists are violating all the agreements signed between seven party and them. They are yet to return confiscated properties. The properties of Nepali Congress leaders including myself have not been returned.

Do you see any possibility of holding the elections of CA when Maoists have announced the month-long program?

Less than three months remain to hold the elections. Month long protest program announced by Maoists will block the election process. At a time when many leaders of the party are yet to go their villages because of Maoist threat, Maoist decision to take physical action will create another panic.

Maoists and other parties are saying that it is Nepali Congress which does not want to hold the elections. They argue that Congress is unclear about its stand on republic and it is yet to prepare party's manifesto? How do you look at it?
Nepali Congress has made it clear that it stands for nationalism, liberal and pluralistic democracy and is opposed to any kind of tyranny. It is none of the business of other parties to dictate us what kind of manifesto Nepali Congress needs. We don't need their guidance. I don't understand why they worry for us. If we take any wrong stand, it will benefit them.

What is the state of unity process?

I am not involved in the process of unification. Sooner or later Nepali Congress will unite. Girijadaju has also assured us that the party will unite very soon.