Leadership should own responsibility for failure: Deep Kumar Upadhyaya Published on: February 4, 2019

 

Nepali Congress leader Deep Kumar Upadhyaya, who also served as Nepal’s ambassador to India, talks about anomalies within the Nepali Congress (NC) party. Talking to Khabarhub, he says the leadership should have the courage to own responsibility for failure in politics. Excerpts:

Nepali Congress (NC) has failed to present itself in a stringent manner surrounding the National Medical Education Bill. How do you analyze the party’s position?

Nepali Congress, in fact, has been playing the role of a responsible opposition. Unlike in the past, NC did not or will not involve in destructive activities in the parliament. The party has made its stance clear on the issues raised by Dr. Govinda KC, who has been vigorously fighting to improve the country’s health sector. But the government seems to be least bothered to address his genuine demands.

It is high time that the leadership moved ahead in line with the new constitution to shoulder the responsibility. The party leaders must mend their ways.

What would be NC’s strategy now?

Firstly, the NC top brass should end the filthy game of factionalism within the party at a time when the country has already embarked on the path of federalism. Unfortunately, the NC seems to be enmeshed in the previous 240 election constituencies and four thousand units, which has become history now. It is high time that the leadership moved ahead in line with the new constitution to shoulder the responsibility. The party leaders must mend their ways.

Is it judicious to put all the blame on the party leadership for the failure?

The concern is not about blaming the current party leadership. When we talk about the country’s current state of affairs, leaders of other parties, who have led the government, are equally responsible for the mess. Therefore, the need of the hour is to find a meeting point to iron out the differences for the country’s prosperity. For this, the government has to take the initiatives. I would say it would not be judicious to point fingers at Prime Minister K P Oli alone for the current situation. We, including Nepali Congress and other parties, are equally responsible for the unbridled corruption, bad governance, and other anomalies dogging the nation. Meanwhile, what should not be forgotten is – NC had been in the government for the highest number of times than any other parties since 1990.

Can NC present itself as a responsible opposition?

Talking about being a responsible party, NC needs a competent leader who is capable of ending intra-party differences and factionalism within the party. NC’s Mahasamiti meeting has just concluded. We have also decided to endorse the party statute with amendments. The question is: when communists can come together, can’t NC take the initiative to create an environment to bring all democratic forces under one roof? Unfortunately, NC leadership is still engaged in intra-party wrangling.

Do you see any possibility of leadership change in NC?

The first and foremost thing is to cleanse the party, which, however, seems a distant aspiration. We cannot expect change until and unless the party is in the grip of greed and unethical leaders. Take for instance, in a developed country a leader steps down immediately on the basis of moral responsibility, which is unusual in Nepal. Even NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba lacks the vision to drive the party to a new height. He would have been revered had he stepped down on moral grounds after the humiliating defeat in the parliamentary and provincial elections.

People are frustrated with the political parties of late. Leaders seem to be least bothered with the people’s aspirations. In such a situation, how can the country move ahead?

As I told you earlier, the leaders of all political parties need to correct themselves. But more importantly, especially those in the government need to realize their mistakes. Or else, the situation would worsen. Leadership should take responsibility for the debacle in politics.

 

Some forces are hell-bent on creating political instability in Nepal: Dr. Sangroula Published on: February 4, 2019

Professor Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula, a political analyst and a renowned advocate, is well-informed about international affairs. Recently, Khabarhub caught up with Dr. Sangraula, who is also a former Attorney General, for his views about Nepal’s latest political affairs, and its impact in the global arena. The following is an excerpt of the interview:

Nepal’s unstable politics has disgruntled the people. Do you see any factors that are playing roles to destabilize Nepali politics?

So far as the issue of political instability is concerned, it is, to a larger extent, an individual perspective. Politics regulates society. Ideology manages politics. Three factors – economy, sociology, and psychology – basically control ideology. Currently, these three factors are in a bad shape. This shows that we have been practicing a defective ideology, which has led to the current political scenario. It is evident from our past experiences that some unseen forces are hell-bent on creating political instability in Nepal. The country’s political parties and their leaders need to realize this. Furthermore, it is high time that we worked towards managing the country’s economic and sociological aspects by establishing a strong and effective state mechanism.

Who is trying to destabilize Nepal? Is it an external or internal element? Or is it the country’s political system that is weakening the state?

Take, for instance, Leo Rose, a British national, who used to play a decisive role in Nepal’s politics during the then King Mahendra’s Panchayat regime. He used to live in Nepal and had a good relationship with the king. He even used to visit Pashupatinath Temple by wearing Daura Suruwal. Rose, in his book, has quoted a minister during King Mahendra’s rule expressing worry over the country’s future. He has mentioned in his book that Nepal would be ‘distributed’ between India and China. That means the western powers have ‘fit in’ separate mechanisms to have a closer look at China and India. Similarly, China and India have also different perspectives to look at each other as well as the western powers. This has created a triangular effect where our politicians, bureaucracy, and security bodies have fallen prey.

The incumbent government, which seemed successful towards ending the syndicate in public transport later appeared helpless. A meager 10 to 15 percent of mafias, active in various sectors such as transport, education, and health, have nexus with foreign powers, including India.

Where did the politicians fail then?

Basically, there are three factors, which are responsible for creating instability in Nepal. It is, therefore, difficult to control society. There are mafias having nexus with neighboring as well as other powers. The incumbent government, which seemed successful towards ending the syndicate in public transport later appeared helpless. A meager 10 to 15 percent of mafias, active in various sectors such as transport, education, and health, have nexus with foreign powers, including India. This has made the system weaker. Had the state mechanisms such as the National Investigation Bureau, Nepali Police and Bureaucracy played an effective role, the country would not have been so weak.

The government could have amended the country’s laws if there are loopholes plaguing the state mechanisms? What is hampering the two-thirds majority government to plug in loopholes?

The government did not realize the problem embedded within the state mechanism. Every political party is entrapped in intra-party wrangling and differences. Not a single party seems bothered to understand who is playing a foul game inside the party. It is their responsibility to find out the major root of the problem.

What would be your suggestion to the parties to ensure political stability?

French model appears closer as a solution measure to the existing political problem. Napoleon bailed France out of the political quagmire that had lasted for about a decade. The country cannot develop unless it draws foreign currencies by exporting its products. The government should establish markets for businessmen to sell their goods. This will encourage people to produce goods and generate income. It will also help prevent people going abroad for employment. The provincial and local governments should be empowered to carry out development works to resolve the existing problems.

The government has been a total failure: Pashupati SJB Rana Published on: February 4, 2019

Pashupati Shumsher Rana, who is well acquainted with the ins and outs of Nepal’s politics and events, talks about the purpose of an alternative force to value people’s aspirations and to protect the country’s historical, cultural and religious significance. An Oxford graduate, Rana, who is also the Chairman of newly formed Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Unified), lambasts the government of being a total failure in all aspects. He is optimistic about establishing Nepal as a Hindu state, which he argues is the need of the hour. Jibaram Bhandari and Ishwar Dev Khanal of Khabarhub caught him to ask about the need for an alternative force and his future plans. Excerpts:

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party Democratic (RPP-D) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nationalist have merged to form RPP (Unified). What is the relevance of the unification?

Rana: We have merged with good will and good intentions. Basically, our priority would be to encompass all political forces having a similar political ideology and to form an alternative democratic force.

Why should people trust RPP (Unified) when there the established parties already?

Most importantly, our agenda is to establish Nepal as a Hindu state with a ceremonial monarchy as the Head of the State. There is no looking back now since 94 percent of the Nepalis are under Omkar family. The current Ceremonial Presidency practiced in Nepal has been a ‘biased’ system since the President is becoming over ambitious and extremely luxurious, which is against people’s aspirations. Therefore, I believe that people, who are frustrated with the current system, will give us a chance to become an alternative force to lead the country.

Pashupati SJB Rana in conversation with Khabarhub at his residence in Maharajgunj.

 

What is the element that will help your party to become an alternative force?

As I said earlier, it is basically the ideology of establishing Nepal as a Hindu state since a majority of the Nepalis come under the Omkar family. The other factor is that the Communist Party of Nepal-led government is gradually losing its credibility and people are frustrated with the government’s poor performance. RPP (Unified) can become an alternative force that the people are looking for.

Do you see any relevance of a ceremonial monarchy at this juncture of time? Isn’t this a history now?

This is in fact, the need of the hour. However, the idea is to forge a consensus with all political parties on the issue of monarchy. A ceremonial monarchy can only play the role of an unbiased center of attraction that will bind people of all communities and religions. It is high time that the country is saved from falling into the hands of hazardous elements that are hell-bent on destabilizing Nepal and its age-old culture, tradition, and religion. When Prime Minister KP Oli involves in NGO-funded religious program, tastes ‘holy wine,’ and spent millions of rupees from the state coffer, what can be more than ridiculous than this?

By saying so, won’t your party be labeled as traditional and regressive?

In fact not. Because I was the one who played a crucial role to negotiate between the king and the agitating parties in 1990. The agreement was that while the king agreed on multi-party democracy, the parties agreed to accept constitutional monarchy.

How do you evaluate the government’s 10-month-long performance?

To be precise, the government is a total fiasco. Initially, we had high hopes but it has failed in all sectors. Corruption is rampant with no efforts towards curbing it. Moreover, development activities have been ineffective. The government is becoming autocratic day by day.

Have you talked about the issue with major parties? Will they agree to it? What could be the meeting point?

First of all, the major parties should put aside their prejudices. The government has failed in all aspects. The parties can work out a common agenda of a Hindu state to protect the country’s identity.

What is your workable agenda to achieve this?

Since we are moving ahead with all good intentions, we can achieve it.

Has the merger something to do with external influence?

The demand of a Hindu state has been our demand for the past few years. There is not any external influence.

What is the basic tenet of your newly merged party?

It is based on four broad principles: nationalism, democracy, ceremonial monarchy, and a Hindu state.

Secularism was never an agenda of the revolution: Dr Lohani Published on: February 4, 2019

Chairman of the newly formed Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Unified) Dr Prakash Chandra Lohani talks about bad governance and the government’s arbitrariness during an interview with Khabarhub. Soon after the unification between Ekikrit Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Rastrabadi) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), former minister Dr Lohani feels the need of reviving the country as a Hindu state. Excerpts:

What is the unity for?

The government indulged in bad governance, which is against our expectation. It started taking every sector into its grip. To stop its arbitrariness, we needed to muster power. Therefore, party unity became a necessity.

What is the agenda to draw public attention in the newly formed party?

Identity as a Hindu country with religious freedom and a monarchial democracy agreed by all stakeholders shall be our main agenda.

Earlier you remained silent. But now you are raising the issue of Hindu and monarchy vociferously. Why so?

Secularism was never an agenda of the revolution. It was all due to foreign influence. The Minister for Home asked to change the name of barracks of the armed police force that were named after Hindu deities. Prime Minister sought blessing from the so-called daughter of Jesus Christ. This is a challenge to our religion and tradition. Therefore, we got united with the conviction that we now need to do something substantial.

You are talking of religion and monarchy even in the 21st century. Isn’t this an era of the public rule?

The nation failed to find its guardian in the President. The President is found loyal to a party. Therefore, the need for monarchy is strongly felt to continue the tradition where monarchy as an institution represents the Himalaya, hills and the Terai belt of the country.

Is there something more besides the party unity?

Mainly we are after earning political strength: in enhancing our capacity to confront the government with its arbitrary deeds and are mustering the power to end the bad governance through public pressure.

Should not a government elected by the public be tested with the mandated five years term?

The country has fallen into the vicious cycle of bad governance. Institutional bodies are rendered ineffective. There has been a massive abuse of authority.  We have ample of cases: Ncell, land purchase by the Nepal Oil Corporation, purchase of the wide-body aircraft and 33 kg gold case, among others. Thus, the government no more retains the public trust. People are looking for a power that speaks against these mal-practices. That is why we got united.

Given your past, why should the public trust you?

We challenge those interested to examine our past. Whatever the ministry we held in the past, we performed well. While I was the minister for Foreign Affairs and also for Finance, there was a huge development in the banking sector, in land reform sector and in regulating Indo-Nepal border.

I believe that all political parties not representing the government will agree to the common agenda of the public. Since some of our interests do meet, we can launch a joint struggle on agreed agenda with NC and other parties.

Similarly, water route treaty from Kankarvitta of Nepal to Bangladesh and water route from the rivers of Nepal to Calcutta in India took place during my tenure. Furthermore, expansion of main roads in Kathmandu and reservation to various ethnic communities also took place in my tenure. Now let me ask, why and at whose interest did the once well-functioning factories like Birjung Sugar Mill, Janakpur Cigarette Factory, Hetauda Garment, and Trolley Bus Service among others get destroyed?

Why should people accept you as an alternate?

We are going to the public to voice their agenda. Even the Nepali Congress (NC) is also raising those issues. I believe that all political parties not representing the government will agree to the common agenda of the public. Since some of our interests do meet, we can launch a joint struggle on agreed agenda with NC and other parties.

Even some members of your party are dissatisfied with unity. Will such a unity result in a strong party?

It is not clear on the issue of their dissents. If it is regarding the position within the party, that shall be decided by the general convention within a year which shall also promulgate a new statue.

 

Utilize land or face action, warns Minister Aryal Published on: February 4, 2019

The current government commands a two-thirds majority. This government retains the power to amend the Constitution if deemed necessary for the welfare of the people. People are hopeful that this government will address the issues the communists have been raising since the very beginning. Khabarhub had a brief conversation with Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Padma Aryal for her views on political, social and contemporary issues. Excerpts:

There have been speculations and accusations surrounding the land plotting issue following the government’s ban on it. It has been alleged that land mafias are acting from behind the curtain in cahoots with the government staffers and state actors. What is the fact?  

The government had put a ban on land plotting on August 10, 2017. I took charge as the Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation on September 4, 2018. I studied the issues related to land plotting during the period. The ban on land plotting not only affected people but also created a mess in urbanization due to the lack of standard guidelines.

Those especially weak, gullible and innocent have suffered the most. There have been reports of bribery. The issue needs to be reviewed and addressed. The Supreme Court also issued an order to open land plotting through by introducing urbanization guidelines.

The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), National Vigilance Center and Parliamentary Committees are in favor of the land plotting. The land should be plotted in line with the set guidelines. It should not be done in a haphazard manner.

We have not barred people from carrying out land-related transactions. We should strictly follow the set urban guidelines while carrying out land transactions.

The fertile land has been split in an unbridled manner in Nepal. Scrupulous land-mafias have become billionaires overnight by running real estate splitting land. Does it mean that you could not control staffers and the department under your ministry?

Let me clarify it.  There have been reports that land plotting has not been banned. It has just been managed. The local government has been fully empowered to tame it. The technical committee, land revenue offices, and survey offices are involved in this issue.

The land has been categorized as residential, commercial, and tourist lands. We have not barred people from carrying out land-related transactions. We should strictly follow the set urban guidelines while carrying out land transactions.

With the Nepali youths going abroad for foreign employment, the portion of barren land is getting bigger every year. What is our national land policy?

We have introduced a policy to properly manage the land. It will help tackle existing problems related to land. Similarly, we have also brought a Land Use Act for land utilization. It includes the categorization of land. We have to utilize every bit of land including hills, individual and government land.

What punishment will a person have to face if she/he leaves his land unused? What plans do you have?

We will launch an awareness program to encourage people to use their every bit of land. The government will launch a campaign to bring back youths working as migrant workers in the foreign country.

We can develop our country only when we stop the trend of youths going abroad and utilize their skills and energy for the development of the country.

Some powerful people have been occupying land impersonating themselves as landless squatters. How do you deal with this issue?

First of all, we have to identify it. We have also made a certain kind of guidelines. How long have they been staying in the area? We will also try to find out whether the landless squatters have land plots elsewhere. We will start implementing the acts by February 27. The government will make efforts in implementing acts during the remaining four years.

Russia hoax was an excuse for them losing the election: Trump Published on: February 4, 2019

 

On declassifying documents and the Russia probe

Hill TV: Have you reviewed the memos yourself? What do you expect them to show, if so?

President Trump: I have not reviewed them. I have been asked by many people in Congress as you know to release them. I have watched commentators that I respect begging the president of the United States to release them. We’re sitting with one right here, we’re sitting with two, you’re right. More than once. And I have had many people ask me to release them. Not that I didn’t like the idea, but I wanted to wait. I wanted to see what, you know, where it was all going. And I think this whole, it’s a hoax. You know Gregg Jarrett wrote a book called the Russian Hoax. It actually is a hoax. I call it a witch hunt, but it’s a hoax. Beyond a witch hunt.

On FBI employees Peter Strzok and Lisa Page

President Trump: When you see the two lovers and you see their most recent texts come out. It is very, very sad for our country to look at that. When you see him talking about the leaks and then say, ‘No we were trying to stop leaks in the FBI,’ OK. That didn’t work out because the following day others came out. But when you see the one about ‘We have to get this while Andy is still there.’

In other words, Comey was a bad guy. He gets fired. They only have Andy left because they know they’re doing wrong. So, we have to get this while, Andy’s, you know the one I’m talking about John.

Hill TV: Yes absolutely, it came out this week.

President Trump: I thought that was terrible. And maybe I thought. And maybe it didn’t pertain to me as much, but the one where he said, ‘Great going Page, the story just hit’ something to that effect. You’ll quote it accurately, you know. But, and the other one I guess, Strzok, said ‘great going.’ And then he goes, ‘now I can go and essentially investigate them.’ In other words, he’ll go up to a door of some person and say, yeah pretext. And say, ‘hey this story just appeared, what’s going on.’ I mean, number one, how illegal is it. But number two, how low is it?

ON THE EXISTENCE OF THE DEEP STATE

Hill TV: Mr. President, would you call this a deep state? People use that term.

President Trump: I don’t like to use it because it sounds so conspiratorial and believe it or not I’m really not a conspiratorial person. But I think it’s a sad day for our country.

ON ADDRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT FBI/DOJ CONDUCT IN RUSSIA PROBE

President Trump: I think that I hope to be able to put this up as one of my crowning achievements that I was able to do through the help of a lot of good people including you two, and all of the support we have. We have tremendous support by the way, to expose something that is truly a cancer in our country. When you look at the FBI, you know you have eight people or so fired now.

And what we’ve done is a great service to the country, really. You know, I hope, I hope to be able to call this one of, along with tax cuts and regulations, and all of the things I’ve done. You know you’ve been seeing, you probably saw the news conference I just did.

Hill TV: We did.

President Trump: We’re making great trade deals. In its own way, this might be the most important thing because this was corrupt. When you look at Bruce Ohr, whose wife was getting paid by people that did a totally phony deal. And they got a tremendous amount of money, the money.

I mean the millions of dollars. And how about [George] Papadopoulos who I didn’t know other than I sat with him for 15 minutes at a table, unfortunately, where they have a picture of this. I never even talked to the guy. I didn’t know who he was. And I didn’t know, one thing I will say about Carter Page. He never went around saying he knew me. He never went around saying the president is my best friend. They put him on some committee. Some person put him on some committee. They were both on the same committee.

And that was not a good committee for me, OK. (laughter) But they put him on the same committee and that was it. But he never went around talking about the president is my best friend. From day one he said, I never met the president. I didn’t know the president, but I was put on his committee. And I say that.

Hill TV: How much time has this taken up of your presidency by the way? The whole Russia thing.

President Trump: It takes a lot. Because if I don’t do it you know bad things can happen. I’ll give you one thing and Papadopoulos. I didn’t know him at all but once he, once he went public and I watched him, he was treated really badly. The guy with the tape recorder who got paid money.

I mean, he got paid a tremendous amount of money. I didn’t know the FBI had the right to pay somebody like that. I mean that’s. He got paid more than anybody at the FBI gets paid by a lot. Right?

Hill TV: History will tell us.

President Trump: Someday you’ll tell me if that was right (laughs) but um, so I’m very disappointed, unless they are doing it, that they have not taken very strong action, does that makes sense to you?

 Hill TV: It does.

President Trump: Because they’ve been abused by reporters. They’ve been, I mean, the FISA court has been laughed at and scorned by what’s gone on here.

 Hill TV: Without a doubt.

President Trump: And then you see 99.99 percent of the things get approved, it was supposed to be just the opposite I remember when they first started talking about the FISA court, you’ve learned a lot through what I’ve, you know, gone through. They were saying how tough it is to get to — then the report comes out like, 99.9 percent of the things that get in front of it, so they knew that and so they put fraudulent stuff in front of it.

ON INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY’S FAILURE TO ALERT HIM TO RUSSIA CONCERNS

President Trump: I’ve always said that the Russia hoax was an excuse for them losing the election. Even though actually, amazingly that started seven months before. That started when it looked like I may have a chance to win, OK? But see that didn’t do anything to me because I didn’t know about it.

One thing on that again, also, if they thought there was something with Russia, and I’m one of two people that are gonna be the president of the United States, they should have come to me and said, “Sir, you’re dealing with people that may have something to do with Russia. We want to let you know.” And I’d say, “I’m sorry whoever it may be, you gotta go, sorry.”

 Hill TV: They never did that, did they?

President Trump: They never did it, no, they never did it. No, but wouldn’t you think they’d say hey, you know there’s two people that have a chance.

ON IMMIGRATION AND BUILDING THE WALL

President Trump: So, we have started the wall. We got 1.6 [billion dollars]. We got another 1.6. We’ve fixed a lot of existing, we’ve started an 80-mile stretch. The entire Democrat life is to try and make sure we don’t have a wall, not because we don’t need it because we do. But because that was a promise that I made, and they want to try to make sure I don’t deliver on that promise. And we have a majority of one in the Senate because we have the filibuster rule, which we shouldn’t, um, you can’t get 10 votes. In other words, Buck, we got a majority of one. We got to get to 60. So, 10 Democrats are controlling the Senate. We shouldn’t have the filibuster rule. The first thing that Chuck Schumer would do if he ever took control of the Senate is get rid of the filibuster rule. And for whatever reason and nobody can explain it, they just won’t do it. Which means we need to get nine more, Republicans. So, it’s very tough thing, even though we need it.

(Agencies)