Nepali Congress central committee member Shekhar Koirala, along with is cousins Sashank and Sujata, have been seen as the Koirala family’s political successors after the death of party president Sushil Koirala. Shekhar Koirala, a physician by profession, is the son of Nona Koirala, one of the towering figures of the democracy movement. Onlinekhabar talked to Koirala recently on the party’s upcoming general convention, and what next for the Koirala family. Translated excerpts:
Nepali Congress is preparing for its 13th general convention. Why is this convention important for the future of the party?
We are fortunate that we are going to the party’s general convention immediately after the promulgation of the new constitution. But it is unfortunate that we have not been able to change the party’s structure according to the country’s federal structure. The provincial boundaries may be reviewed at some point, but we should have adapted to the changed context.
Second, the convention is taking place after the demise of party president Sushil Koirala. The best tribute we could have given to Sushilda would have been a unanimous candidate for the party leadership. But that could not happen. It is only natural that there is competition in a democracy.
“It is only natural that there is competition in a democracy.”
Similarly, the party’s general convention is not just about electing the leadership, it is also about discussing the party’s policies and programmes. But the race for the leadership seems to have overshadowed this. I would like to make something clear at this point. The way Nepali Congress’ policies and programmes are passed is different from that of the communists. In communist parties, first the leadership is chosen and the leadership proposes a course of action for the entire party. But in Nepali Congress, the whole party works on the policies and programmes, and it remains the same, regardless of who takes charge.
The Madesh movement has been on the political agenda for a long time now. How important will this factor be during the convention?
When it comes to Madhesh, at the root of all problems are the people who look at Madhesh from Kathmandu. These people are there even in the Congress party. They are not willing to accept that there is a Madhesh, Madheshis are also Nepalis, and that they also are nationalists. There a few elements in the Madhesh that have taken a radical stance, but more than 99 per cent of Nepali Congress members in the Madhesh are not part of them.
The party’s general convention is not just about electing the leadership, it is also about discussing the party’s policies and programmes.
The issue of the Madhesh will come up in a big way during the convention. I am even of the opinion that Province No 2 will have the decisive vote in the race for party leadership. The eight districts have 560 representatives, and that is enough to tilt the balance anytime.
Talking about the party leadership, who do you think are the front runners?
There are many. But I think Ramchandra ji and Sher Bahadur Deuba ji are the ones leading. I believe that this will be the last opportunity for Paudel and Deuba ( both of whom have never been party president) to contest for party leadership. During the next convention, both of them will not be able to do so, because of their age.
Even before Sushilda’s death, I had been saying that Ramchandra ji should get party presidency. I have not changed my stance on this.
They say that inside the Nepali Congress, there are two factions, one that commands 60 per cent support and the other that is confined to 40 per cent. Koiralas lead the ’60’ and Deuba the ’40s’. So is Ramchandra Paudel the candidate of the ’60’?
Well, looking at the results of the local conventions, I should say that the 60-40 may no longer be there. But it is there when it comes to the central leadership of the party. There are four candidates for Congress President, as of now. They are: Ramchandraji, Deubaji, Sujata and Krishna Prasad Sitaula. Prakashmanji may also contest. I have publicly said that I am not in the race. But I am a contender for the general secretary post.
Sujata Koirala is the only Koirala to have announced here candidacy for president.
What you are hinting at is the Koirala legacy. I say that we Koiralas should not jump the gun, just because Sushilda died. We are also capable of running the party, but now we should let Deuba and Paudel contest because this is the only opportunity they are going to get to have a shot at the post.
There is also talk about amending the party’s charter to accommodate the aspirations of party leaders. What is your take on that?
I am against amending the charter for accommodating individual leaders. But I am in favour of amending the charter to transform the party into a federal structure. We should understand that the party president will not be able to look after all the province-level activities. We need to establish how much autonomy we want to give to the provinces.
The convention would have been a great opportunity to do that. But unfortunately, at least till today, we have not taken any steps in that direction.
