A popular actress of Bollywood, Manisha Koirala, has urged the seven party opposition alliance to participate in the upcoming municipal polls and to work towards building consensus for resolving the present crisis of the country.
Actress Manisha Koirala (File photo)
In an exclusive interview with the state run Gorkhapatra daily on Wedensday, Koirala asked, “You claim to be democrats but reject the polls. How can you be democrat?”
The alliance of seven political parties is actively boycotting the municipal poll slated for February 8.
Born in the political family of Koiralas that has produced three prime ministers since 1950s, Manisha is the daughter of minister in the royal cabinet, Prakash Koirala
Stating that people’s mandate is the true identity of the political parties and their leaders, actress Koirala said, “How can you become leaders and go to parliament without getting people’s mandate/”
Gorkhapatra daily quoted the popular actress of Indian cinema as saying that the ongoing street protests would only lead to greater conflict in the country., “It is the need of the hour to go for talks and understanding with His Majesty the King by putting an end to the protests,” she added.
Ms. Koirala said that while there was Maoist problem in the country, the parties were aggravating the situation by rejecting the polls. Recalling the contribution made by her grandfather, late B. P. Koirala, and other leaders,, she accused the opposition leaders of leading democracy to the present situation during the 12-year-long rule. “They could not solve the Maoist problem that began during their own time,” she added.
“The King and the parties should unite because others will continue to take advantage as long as we fight among ourselves,” she said.
Beauty comes to rescue: Anchor news in Wednesday’s Gorkhapatra daily based on interview with the Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala
Beauty comes to rescue: Anchor news in Wednesday’s Gorkhapatra daily based on interview with the Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala
Ms. Koirala expressed her sincere trust on His Majesty the King saying, “The King is democratic. His Majesty has asked for three years, which is not a very long period. The democratic forces should not fear that there may not be democracy in the country. Once it is established, it will remain there forever,” she added.
She said she would assist in the forthcoming elections and would stay in Nepal until the munipal polls are over. “During my stay in Kathmandu, I will help create an atmosphere for polls. It was my duty to come to Nepal during elections, that’s why I am here,” she said.
Stating that boycotting elections means failing to trust people’s mandate, Ms. Koirala asked the political parties to be broadminded and participate in the polls.
Ms. Koirala insisted that there was democracy in Nepal at present. “That we are going for polls is itself proof that at present there is democracy in Nepal.”
Coming down heavily on the international community for their call for the restoration of democracy in Nepal, she said, “They are selfish, and they look at things with biased perspective. They did not say a word when Bhutan’s King evicted 100,000 of his citizens of Nepalese origin who have been suffering ever since.”
Ms. Koirala also claimed that the world’s analysis of human rights situation in Nepal was not impartial. “The USA itself is violating human rights. Haven’t rights of people been violated in Iraq and Afghanistan? Should we keep mum on the human rights violations by America?” she asked.