Kathmandu, Jan. 27: Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who is setting off on a tour of the Maoist affected areas in the mid and far western regions of the country next week, said today that the objective of his visit is to know the on-the-spot truth about the situation there.
“Principal points in my agenda are to know the ongoing situation there, to see whether the special package programmes launched by the government are implemented effectively and to get the idea of what the local people think about the Maoist insurgency,” Koirala told journalists at a Face to Face organised by the Reporters Club of Nepal.
Maoist activists unleashed an armed insurgency in the hills of western Nepal four years ago that has so far claimed over a thousand lives.
“After returning from the visit, I want to meet leaders from all major political parties and put my report before them. I cannot guess now how they will receive it but I am optimistic that a right solution of the problem can be worked out with a consensus,” said Koirala who had visited the violence areas in 1998 when he was the Prime Minister.
Koirala plans to meet and interact with concerned Chief District Officers, police officers, employees of different offices, representatives of different political parties and independent individuals to know their views about the problem that different governments in the last four years have been unable to resolve. “It is nothing like a magic and I cannot guarantee a solution. It is my endeavour towards finding a consensual solution of the issue. Hopefully, an outlet can be given to it,” said Koirala.
Koirala viewed that now is the most appropriate time to seek solution of the problem because all parties have expressed the same view about the Maoist problem. Nepali Congress’s view is quite clear about the issue, he said .”We hold that it is a national problem and should be solved with national consensus. With this in mind, I held talks with major political parties including the UML, ML and the RPP. We had some differences and misunderstanding with the UML in this regard. But now, the party has come up with a consensual view,” he stated.
Denying that the government was unable to maintain law and order, Koirala said when the root of the problem is understood, an agreed solution can be worked out. Of the conditions set by Maoists as reported in their party newspapers, he said that they should come to the negotiating table if they want a solution. He warned that the violence of the Maoists is benefiting the elements with motive of creating instability.
Asked about the reshuffle of the cabinet and taking actions against some of the Ministers as demanded by the party, Koirala said it is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. “What I wanted to stress is that the government should be dynamic.”
Koirala was not fully satisfied with the coordination between the party and the government. He however said that it is not proper to interfere with the government in its day to day functioning.
“Whatever I have commented about the government, I have done so after the evaluation of its performance. What I do and say is not for the sake of premiership and presidency. For me, national interest comes on top of everything,” Koirala said.
On Kalapani issue, Koirala said the solution can be found peacefully through diplomatic approach. He informed that he is visiting India to participate in a seminar on the new millennium theme. Asked about the hijacking of the IA plane, he said it is not proper to say Nepal’s weakness led to the incident.
As the nation is in a state of directionlessness for mistaken policy, it is high time the policy in every sector was reviewed so as to give momentum to the development efforts, Koirala said.
President of Reporter’s Club of Nepal Rishi Dhamala said the Club plans a media campaign for the solution of the Maoist problem. The Club’s future programmes will be directed to it, he added.