Naturally, people have voiced strong opinions on their preferences for the world's newest republic's, first President. Some have expressed vested interests behind a democratic veil, others have spoken in support of gender and ethnic equality, and yet, others have forwarded names without extending even the simplest courtesy of consulting the very individuals on whose behalf, presidential campaigns have been launched (and retracted)!! With much respect to every individual's right to personal opinion, let this writing be a case for who SHOULD NOT become Nepal's first President - namely, Mr. Girija Prasad Koirala.
Many credit Mr. Koirala with leading Nepal's peace process, for bringing peace, stability and some measure of democracy to Nepal. They claim that in the absence of Girija's leadership, the Maoists would still be in insurgency mode, that Nepal would still be a Kingdom and that the Nepali people would remain deprived of their god given right to freedom.
But let us not forget that without Mr. Koirala, there probably would have been no Maoist insurgency to begin with. Let us take a moment to recollect that had Mr. Koirala and his old party given sustenance to inclusive democracy after 1990, operations Romeo and Sierra Kilo-II, the Lauda Air scandal and dozens of other episodes that undermined Nepal's democratic transition would never have transpired.
Instead of positioning this debate in the limited context of the past 2.5 years, let us take a moment to reflect on Mr. Koirala's larger legacy - a legacy which extends as far back as 1990 (after he stopped hijacking planes and printing fake Indian currency). It was during this timeframe when Girija's lust for power, recognition and political chicanery defined an entire generation of political malfeasance. Unmitigated corruption, intra-party power struggles and a penchant for manipulative, self-serving politics is the real legacy that Mr. Koirala will leave behind.
Koirala's supporters claim that he fought for democracy his entire life and so he deserves recognition in the "New Nepal." But does the "New Nepal" deserve a beginning marred by the political baggage that Girija Prasad Koirala would bring to the Presidency? Girija may have spent his teenage years following his older brother's lead, but the real question is what Girija did when his struggle yielded the opportunity democratize Nepal. If Mr. Koirala is such model for democratic leadership, is the type of democracy that defined the post-1990 period the type of democracy Nepalis want, post 2008?
A democratic myth is precisely what Mr. Koirala's sycophants like to propagate - that democracy for Nepal, is somehow tied to the legacy of the Nepali Congress and that the Nepali Congress, is nothing without Girija Prasad Koirala's leadership. What sophistry! If it's one man that has continually undermined democracy within Nepal's largest democratic party, it is Girija. The one (perhaps the only) thing Nepalis have Girija to thank for, is the birth of rebels within the ranks of the Nepali Congress. Rebels like Narahari Acharya and Gagan Thapa who have successfully leveraged republican sentiment to undermine Girija Koirala and his coterie.
What of the new generation of leaders within the Nepali Congress? What about the new generation of Nepalis, period? How enthusiastic are they about the thought of Koirala's legacy extending far beyond its useful tenure?
What about the thousands of Maoists and the thousands of state security forces who died during Nepal's insurgency? Is it their desire to see the man who resigned as prime minister because the Army wouldn't fight the Maoists, now serve as the "New Nepal's" first President? Is the attempted re-writing of Girija's legacy and the continuation of his brand of caste-based politics, the reason so many Nepalis had to die? It's horrible enough that Nepalis had to suffer immeasurable emotional loss fighting a war that could have been avoided. Must Nepalis now bear insult to injury by witnessing Girija become Nepal's first President?
Nepal's Presidency isn't a consolation prize for second best. It's not a trophy that Girija deserves for being the "most useful idiot." This is a post that will be burdened with immense responsibility and compromise, a position that a capable, healthy, non-senile, non-octogenarian should hold. Nepal's new President will reside over not just the most politically challenging period in Nepal's history, but possibly over the most economically challenging period the world has seen in decades. Given all practical considerations, is Nepal's Presidency a job for a man who can barely stand, let alone think straight? Is it a job for a man pumped up on steroids just to make occasional public appearances?
With Nepal's royal legacy in the past, Girija Koirala's utility is over. Like the man formerly known as King Gyanendra, Girija should gracefully bow out of the political scene as the man formerly known as "most useful idiot." From winning the Nobel Peace Prize to becoming Nepal's first President, one cannot help but wonder what other dreams of grandeur, interactions with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, planted in Girija's head. Be that as it may, it's time for Girija to wake up, smell the republican coffee, get off the steroids, and let the "New Nepal" breathe.
There is no room in the "New Nepal" for an old Girija, the politics of his variety, or his shameless lust for power. Democracy is facilitated in Nepal by Girija's retirement into obscurity and a democratic polity is more likely in the absence of Nepali Congress supporters, who are little more than Girija's servants. It is Girija who continues to impede Nepal's political progress and it's time for him to get out of the way.
Related Posts:
The Nepali Congress should Focus on the Party's Reinvention, not on Koirala's Legacy
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2008/05/nepali-congress-should-focus-on-partys.html
Stubborn Koirala and NC's Impending Downfall
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2008/01/stubborn-koirala-and-ncs-impending.html
(Nepali) Congress At Crossroads
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/12/congress-at-crossroads.html
High On Oxygen
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/12/high-on-oxygen.html
13 comments:
Just Say No to Girja should be widely circulated. Scum of a man- his lots, Maoist included, are traitors of highest kind.
For mother of me- I do not understand why these leeches not say a word when Damn Sod goes around town calling shots. Shame on these people.
But let us not forget that without Mr. Koirala, there probably would have been no Maoist insurgency to begin with.
Although the conclusion of the article may be right, the premise of the article is very simplistic and plain wrong.
Why not then blame King Birendra for the rise of Girija to begin with because King Birendra and his father imprisoned BP Koirala.
Anyone who was in New York in 1992/93 and witnessed Girija dismiss the Maoists as a bunch of thugs who should be dealt with as a law and order problem understand what his mentality was... I believe the writer is echoing that idea in the sentence you have quoted (but I could be wrong).
The premise of the article in my reading is that Girija should not become Nepal's first President. This is summed up by the conclusion. How is it that you agree with the conclusion but not the premise?
Please. Stop harping on the idea of monarchy. Nepal is now a republic and neither Girija nor people like you can continue to hide behnd the royal excuse.
But to humor you, I will say this - if Girija was even a fraction of what BP was, personalities like Gyanendra and Pushpa Dahal would never have been able to dominate, manipulate and play Girija like a fiddle. So if you want to credit Birendra and Mahendra with Girija's rise then would you also credit Gyanendra with Girija's political rehabilitation and with Nepal's current political process?
If you say "yes," then I will side with your reading of this article and say that the Girija's high handed behavior had nothing to do with the rise of the armed maoist insurgency.
So the question is here either / or. Forget all the blah blah blah and technicalities.
Do you support Girija as Nepal's frist president?
In respinding to the question, I say "only when hell freezes over." On this issue, I am 150% in line with what the Maoists are saying.
The Nepali Congress and it's bahunists should be ashamed of themselves. CP Gajurel's statement that they are trying to get Koirala in the presidential seat or else.. makes my blood boil.
Why doesn't this old, useless bastard do everyone a favor and not wake up tomorrow?
Forget who is going to be a President of Nepal- this ain't necessary. We being Monkey with a coconut rather, as seen in the political circus and clowns, its better we accept Ms. Prativa Devi (indian president) as a President and close the chapter of petty fights. This is a novel idea already accpeted and adhered to by political elites from Maoist to Girja the gizzard. So why worry, just be new Indian in a land whichonce called Nepal
100% no to Girija.
It is peoples' mandate.
We should not allow him to sale more rivers to India for his power lust.
GPK would probably collapse at his inauguration (oxygen shortage), so let's not even consider him a viable (forget qualified) candidate.
Among the names I've heard of/read so far, I would advocate for Sahana Pradhan (forget that the Maoists have proposed her name, among others). Here is an educated woman, not a Maoist, not a bahun, and - most importantly - benign enough to suit the post.
Why people have to bring in BP Koirala when the issue is about Girija Prasad? BP is also a hyped character just like GP.
Yes, yes and yes again to Girija for President. Girija typifies what's with Nepal. His appointment will be the icing on the cake for some and for others yet another measure of just how low we have sunk. But honestly, it scarcely matters because in Nepal’s case, whether old or new, the only way is down. More cakes all around to celebrate bahun rule, yah!
NO...NO...NO...NO>>>>>
Why should we need Old failure leader in NEW NEPAL ?
I have never agreed with the Maoists because of their methods. But when it comes to their democratic stand against Girija, I am 100% in solidarity with the Maoists. Girija is a total misfit and his becoming the first President of Nepal would be an insult to all Nepalis.
He is a top most culprit of destroying unites,stable and glorious nation,Nepal.In order to meet his most selfish and power-hunger goal,he has played a very dirty and dangerous game for what Neapl and Neaplis suffer a lot for long time to go.He is the most stupid and greedy leader,because of his greediness for power he smashed Nepali Congress and democratic achievments Nepal got after long struggle lead under late B,P.,Ganesh M.singh and only living founder leader K.P.Bhattarai.The foul games he played against many reputed leaders and the established symbolic of cultural and national unity Intity,monarchy,would be very costly to NC party,stable and united Nepal.So,he must not be a president of Nepal,otherwise more troublesome days will be easily invited.
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