Former Prime Minister and the seniormost leader of the seven opposition parties, Girija Prasad Koirala, has said the on-going agitation being launched by their alliance must finish off before the monsoon.

In an exclusive interview with the March-April issue of Himal Southasian magazine, the President of Nepali Congress said “We have to energise our agitation in the next two months. We must finish it off before the monsoon.”

The Seven Party Alliance (SPA) has announced Kathmandu-centric agitation beginning April 8, this year “to restore peace and democracy in the country.” The day symbolizes the end of three-decade-long direct rule of the king in 1990 leading to the restoration of the multi-party polity.

Monsoon normally starts in Nepal in the months of June-July. Nepal being a predominantly agrarian country, monsoon is the season when people—including political party workers—return to their villages to undertake farming.

Responding to a query on why the parties had been so weak in opposing the royal takeover of Feb. 1, 2005, the octogenarian leader said, “In the beginning, we did have problems within ourselves, and also some lack of clarity. This prevented us from going to the people. Remember also that we have been harassed continuously, detentions, house arrests. Even today, our most effective organisers are being picked up one by one,” he said.

“The king must understand how precarious the situation has become now. If he reaches out, of course we can help. If he does not, who can take responsibility for what happens next.”
G. P. Koirala
Koirala– who rarely gives one-to-one interview (the last one being over BBC Nepali)– claimed that His Majesty King Gyanendra was completely isolated. “Everyone opposes his takeover, even those he thought would support him.”

Commenting on the recent remarks by the US envoy in Kathmandu, James F. Moriarty, Koirala said, “His pronouncements are like a safety line thrown to the king. We shall see if the king uses it to retreat or to reinforce his autocratic grip. I have my doubts and am watching closely,” he added.

When asked about the contradictory statements and interviews being granted by the senior Maoist leaders, the veteran politician said, “These things will happen, because they also have their activists to consider. I have met them, and will rely on what they have said to me in person. Leave the Maoist matter to me. It is our responsibility to bring them in—no one else can do that,” he added.

Together with CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and other senior leaders of the SPA, Koirala was in Delhi in November last year to hold talks with the Maoist leadership. Both the sides then came up with the 12-point understanding calling for an end to what they call “autocratic monarchy” and peaceful transformation of the decade-old conflict in the country.

“They (the Maoists) are keen to leave violent politics at long last. We are working for a political solution, which is possible now because the Maobaadi no longer believe they can achieve a military victory,” he added.

When asked what should the palace do to end the long-drawn political stalemate in the country, Koirala said, “The king must issue a proclamation conceding that state sovereignty (rajya satta) lies with the people. He has to do that. (Thereafter) The Parliament must be reinstated. …You will be surprised at how many layers of problems will be solved the day Parliament is restored. First and foremost, it will guarantee peace with the Maoists. We will also have democracy. The restoration of Parliament will be decisive,” he added.

Responding to another query, Koirala said he had not had any contact with the Narayanhiti royal palace for the last fourteen months (since the royal takeover). When asked what should the king do, the NC leader said, “I am one who believes in giving continuity to history as much as possible because that will help achieve permanent peace. This is the reason for the goodwill towards the monarchy as an institution, but the king must understand how precarious the situation has become now. If he reaches out, of course we can help. If he does not, who can take responsibility for what happens next,” he added.