Online Khabar
Kathmandu, October 7. The Nepali Congress offered some interesting spectacles at its central working committee meeting held today. The India-imposed ‘covert’ blockade (covert because the NC-headed government has not officially called it a blockade. Point to note: The deputy prime minister attending the United Nations General Assembly did not call it a blockade) raised quite a ruckus at the meeting called to discuss leadership of a new government and set the date for the 13th general convention of the party.
When leaders demanded the party to come up with its official stance on the issue, different versions came.
CWC member Gagan Thapa said the party should come to a conclusion on whether or not it’s a blockade. If it’s indeed a blockade, the party should condemn it, Thapa proposed.
Subsequently, Finance Minister and CWC member Ram Sharan Mahat prepared a draft mentioning that India had imposed a blockade. NC Vice-President had Mahat condemn the blockade in the draft press release.
Another CWC member Bal Krishna Khand chimed in then. He asked what will happen when the party leading a government calls it a blockade even when figures, including government spokesperson, Nepal’s Ambassador to India and deputy prime minister addressing the UNGA, refuse to call it so.
Then came Shekhar Koirala’s turn. He shouted at those speaking against the ‘blockade’, saying they were going to rout the Congress by talking about the matter.
“The government has forwarded a two-point constitution amendment proposal. You approve it and the blockade will end tomorrow. You have not heard ambassadors’ remarks?”. The blockade will not end without constitutional amendment, Koirala said, sending shockwaves at the meeting.
CWC member Gagan Thapa objected. “There’s no doubt that the constitution should be amended, incorporating demands of Madhesh. But the amendment should not be done to do the envoys’ bidding.”
“The party will cease to exist if we amend the charter based on diplomats’ suggestions,” a leader quoted Thapa as saying.
The leaders were also divided on whether or not to make mention of the blockade in the draft. NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba put forth a somewhat toned-down alternative. He suggested preparing a draft calling (India) to reopen the border points.
This impressed party President Sushil Koirala and he immediately gave his nod.
