Online Khabar

Kathmandu, October 13. Nepali Congress Central Committee Member Shekhar Koirala is pretty confident his party will land the post of President. What’s the basis for this confidence? “Prime Minister KP Oli has said he will move ahead by taking the Congress, too, into confidence. Alright if Oliji takes NC into confidence. If it does not and fields its candidate for the position, we will also do so,” Koirala told Online Khabar.

According to Koirala, Congress is the kingmaker in the race for President. “Whichever candidate Congress votes for will become the President,” he said. The Congress has not yet decided whether to field which party President Sushil Koirala or any other candidate for the top post, he said.

Online Khabar talked to Congress CWC member Koirala about Sushil Koirala’s defeat in the prime ministerial race and the party’s future strategy. Excerpts:

People say Congress’ days are over. Is it so, with KP Oli, Prachand and Kamal Thapa bandying together ?

This question reminded me of BP Koirala’s remark. He used to say: Ultra-leftists and ultra-leftists stand together and trouble democrats. His quote has come true after several years. It’s okay. I think this coming together will do the Congress no harm.

Will this coming together of Oli, Thapa and Prachanda not harm democracy ?

No, democracy will not be in trouble if the NC plays the role of a good opposition. That’s why we have opted for the opposition bench.

Who is to blame for the pass the Congress is in? I mean who made the Congress stay out of the government? Who brought Sushil Koirala to this pass ? 

Nepali Congress is a democratic party. Together with the UML, we drafted the constitution and introduced it. The UCPN-Maoist was in the opposition bench then. This proves the opposition can play a crucial role in stablising and strengthening democracy. Democracy without opposition is unimaginable. Sadly in our country, this has been continuing for 8-10 years.

The UCPN-Maoist was in the opposition during this period…

The Maoist party did not play the role of the opposition. Interestingly, the UML, though it was in power, playted the opposition’s role as well.

 How?

The UML refused to amend the constitution. And it refused to address issues related to proportionate and inclusive representation and delineation of electoral constituencies. Even after the ruling parties endorsed the Reconstruction Commission Regulation, UML lawmakers strived for amendment. These acts are against democratic norms. The Congress cannot go against democracy. And no one should take the country hostage in the name of consensus. It is wrong to victimise the country through divisive politics. We should play the role of the opposition effectively.