Onlinekhabar caught up with Sher Bahadur KC, who is leading a panel vying for the leadership of Nepal Bar Association and other important positions, a day before the Bar elections. Excerpts from the interview with KC, who represents the Nepali Congress camp in the race:
Why are you contesting the race for NBA presidency?
An active, vigilant Bar is a must for the free judiciary, the rule of law, constitutionalism and institutional development of democracy. My candidacy is for the sake of a Bar that is active and vigilant.
You mean to say the Bar is in slumber right now?
Yes, it is almost asleep. Bar President himself first became attorney-general, later he became a justice. The Bar has remained inactive; it has not taken any step to safeguard the rights of legal professionals.
Will you not cash in such opportunities?
I have already declared, I will not seek to become attorney-general or justice if I get elected as NBA president. Not me alone, no one from my panel will vie for such positions.
What are your electoral agendas?
Protecting legal professionals’ rights and improving the image of the judicial sector are our major agendas.
You are representing a panel that is close to the Nepali Congress. Is it not shameful on the part of legal professionals to identify themselves as Congress and communists?
We don’t identify ourselves as Congress people. We have our political leanings, but no party has showered its blessings on us.
What are the problems ailing the judiciary? What’s your stance vis-a-vis these problems?
At present, the judiciary and the legislature are in conflict. And recent appointments have tarnished the image of the judiciary. We are for making the judiciary impartial and independent, again. The relations between the Bar and the Bench should be cordial. We hope ties between the Bar and the Bench will improve as the new chief justice (to be) has worked both as an advocate and as a justice.
How confident are you of winning this race?
I am sure we will win. We visited different places and sought support (from fellow legal professionals). They all have pledged to support us. We are contesting this race with the slogan: Independent judiciary, our commitment. We also have a manifesto. We hope the whole of our panel will win.
