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Prime Minister Girija P. Koirala: The Greed Emperor

Letter to the Editor

I would like to put a question out to all Nepali brothers and sisters - is there no one other than Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to take charge as the Ceremonial President? Is he that capable of becoming President of Nepal? What does his resume possess? What special credentials does he have?

Definitely, on the surface, Prime Minister GP Koirala was seen leading the April movement and forcing King Gyanendra to quit his absolute rule. A question arises here, did GP Koirala really led that movement or became a tool for the Indian establishment and leftists (Maoists/UML) under the dictate of covered hands with various hidden agendas?

If GP Koirala had led the April upsurge, Nepali congress would not have had a very poor showing in the direct contest in the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections. Nepali Congress would have won at least 100 seats. Unfortunately, Nepali Congress showed its poorest results ever winning just 37 out of 240 seats, which is a rejection of Nepali Congress and specially its leadership. The rejected party and its leader's claim for Nepal's first Presidency is nothing more than a negation of the Nepali people's verdict. It is a sheer example of greed on the part of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

GP Koirala and Madhav Nepal cannot be acceptable at all. Their indifference to civil society leaders is something not digestible. Civil society leaders played a vital role in bringing about the end of the Monarchy.

It is another story that the majority of the people are not accepting the decision of the Constituent Assembly in their heart. The people of Nepal are not taking that decision as an end in itself. There are so many flaws to declaring a Republic, because the people were not trusted to have their say. The sovereign people should have been given ultimate power to decide on the Monarchy as well as on a Hindu Nation.

It is possible that a future government might be compelled to hold a referendum on the Hindu Kingdom versus the present forced political system, Federal Democratic Republic Nepal before the Constituent Assembly (CA) completes writing the Constitution. Equally possible is that the decision of the Constituent Assembly might be changed and name Nepal, a Hindu Monarchy once again by the strength of street agitation. To be noted, Hindus are about 85 percent of Nepal's total population.

Now, coming to the main point as to who possess the right credentials to be the first President of Nepal. It is a person who is accepted on the basis of consensus and has to be awarded that respect. The limitation put only to political leaders could provoke civil society members and the Nepali populace as a whole. A less ambitious and more internationally recognized person is the one who will be the best for the Nepal's Presidential job. He who is not from the political parties and neutral in all respects can do the best at present, providing the division of power centers might create power struggles later and bringing a complete deadlock for any compromises. Therefore, the President should not be one who represents any political party.

Prime Minister GP Koirala himself should have given another thought and bring in a neutral person who can command the favor of the international community. Sticking to the post of Prime Minister and not paving the way as per the people's mandate show his complete lust for power. It will not make him a great leader of Nepal but rather turn him into a greedy emperor. It is up to him to choose between being a great leader or the greediest emperor of all time.

Bishal Shah,
Chairman, Nepali Nationalists Organization (NNO), USA.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com