Kathmandu: RPP is in the news.
This party of the former Panchas which is at the moment led by its newly elected Chairman, Mr. Pashupati S. Rana is in the news because it has almost vowed that this party would act like a bridge in between those who oppose the King’s October 4 moves and the King himself.
In the process, Mr. Rana met Girija Prasad Koirala and Madhav Nepal apparently with an aim to bridge the gap in between the King and the political parties.
However, Rana’s mediatory gestures appears to have gone all in vain.
Mr. Rana who the other day met Koirala tried to convince the latter suggesting him to proceed ahead in order to bridge the gap by accepting the status quo which the old man reportedly outrightly rejected.
Instead, Koirala suggested Rana to convince the King to reinstate the parliament which only would bridge the current gap in between the King and the political parties opposing the Royal moves of October 4.
“Take into confidence the King and in case the King restores the parliament, I will be the one to support your candidacy for the next prime ministership”, so said Koirala to the RPP chief.
How Rana reacted to Koirala’s proposal is yet unknown but informed sources say that Rana possesses hidden ambition for the coveted post where his own party colleague is seated at the moment.
Looking at the non-performance of the incumbent prime minister, high placedsources opine that if prime minister Chand is replaced by a new face in the near future would not be a surprise at all.
However, whether Chand’s replacement would bring in Mr. Rana or any other entirely new face is very difficult to predict.
Be that as it may, president Koirala appears to have become bit flexible in the recent days. All that he needs now is the replacement of Chand’s government with the one that houses members from all the major political parties that would conduct elections and initiate dialogues with the Maoists as well. This is what the UML also wishes.
As far as Rana is concerned, he is all set to use his good offices in bringing all the potential forces together with the King so that the current stalemate comes to an end.
In the meanwhile, forces other than the RPP have begun suspecting the democratic credentials of the RPP specially after the party got Mr. Rana as its chairman.
To recall, Rana indirectly has hinted in his various speeches and interviews that the King be allowed to exercise his residual powers at times of crisis.
These expressions of Mr. Rana have forced other political parties to suspect Rana as the one who favored active monarchy to which Rana flatly rejects.
All in all, Rana is active. He is meeting political leaders of all shades in his bid to ease the already tensed relation in between the King and the political paraphernalia. Whether he bags success in his new endeavour or fails all depends on how he uses his political acumen.
For the time being, Rana appears to have failed in his mission.