By Pratibedan Baidya

Fragile and aged, Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has been sworn in as the country’s new premier on Sunday.

Trade unionists staging a rally marking the International May Day 2006 in Kathmandu , Monday, May 01 06. nepalnews.com/rh

His Majesty King Gyanendra administering the oath of office to Prime Minister- designate G P Koirala at the Naryanhiti royal palace on Sunday. (File photo)
After the swearing-in ceremony, His Majesty King Gyanendra led Koirala to a nearby sofa and exchanged pleasantries. He also inquired about the health of the octogenarian leader with his personal physician, Dr. Madhu Ghimire, who was accompanying the grand old man of Nepali politics.

The Nepali monarch and Koirala were arch rival until last week—both of them adamant to implement their own roadmap. But, it seems the history has asked them to work together at a time when the country is passing through one of the most difficult phases since its existence as a nation-state more than 200 years ago.

This is the fifth time Koirala has been appointed Prime Minister since the restoration of multiparty democracy in the country in 1990. His challenges this time, however, are daunting—to say the least.

Born in 1925, Koirala, is one of the pioneers of Nepali trade union movement and a senior leader of the Nepali Congress party. He was one of the key figures of historic labour movement of March 4, 1947. He spent seven years in jail in the 1960s during the Panchayat era.

“Once Koirala champions certain cause, it’s almost impossible to get him deviated from it. His weakness is his tendency to take instant decisions without realizing its long-term consequences.”
— Harihar Birahi
In 1991, Koirala headed the first democratically elected government after the popular movement of 1990 that ended the absolute rule of monarchy. He, however, dissolved parliament and called snap polls amid intense intra-party feud in 1994.

He also led governments between 1998-99 and 2000-2001. Last time, he resigned from the post of Prime Minister in July 2001 just a month after the royal palace massacre. Reports say he quit from the post after the Royal Nepalese Army reportedly refused to pursue the Maoists who had abducted nearly 90 policemen after raiding a police post at Holeri in Rolpa district.

Six years down the line, one of his priorities is to bring the RNA under the purview of the parliament. Interestingly, Maoists too have agreed to join the political mainstream as the reinstated House of Representatives has agreed to their key demand—elections for the constituent assembly to draft a new constitution.

Towering Personality: Koirala (second from right), waves to the cheering crowd along with SPA leaders a day after the reinstatement of the House in Kathmandu last week. (Photo coutesy : Kiran Pandey/Himal khabarpatrika)
While in office, he was linked to infamous Dhamija and Lauda scam, among others. Koirala refuted any wrongdoing but popular opinion was that his near and dear ones were reaping benefits in his name. The then main opposition, CPN (UML) stalled parliament for nearly two months demanding his resignation. Now, UML is a key ally in the Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and also proposed his name to the post of Prime Minister.

A strong-man of Nepali politics, Koirala is undisputed leader within his party. He was elected as the NC president for the third time last year.

“We have chosen Koirala for the post of Prime Minister realizing the respect he commands at the national and international level,” said Amik Sherchan—chairman of Jana Morcha Nepal – one of the constituents of the SPA.

Ever since King Gyanedra sacked the popularly elected prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in October 2002, Koirala has been spearheading the campaign against the royal move and demanding reinstatement of the dissolved parliament.

After the royal takeover of February 2005, Koirala was able to forge the SPA and later played key role in reaching into 12-point memorandum of understanding with the Maoist rebels at the outskirts of the Indian capital in November last year.

Ever since, despite his ill health, like ‘Ekalabya’ in Mahabharata he had been focusing all his energy to bring the direct rule of the king to an end.

Though majority of his coalition partners say they believe in making Nepal a republic, Koirala has made it clear he believes in the continuity of the history.

“Our agitation is not against the institution of monarchy but it is against the King who does not want to hand over the power to the people,” Koirala said, adding, “If the King is really committed to the institution of monarchy and democracy, he can revive the House giving the reign of power to the people. If King revives the house, we will be responsible in dealing with the Maoists,” said Koirala.

With the reinstatement of the House of Representatives last week as the people’s movement culminated, Koirala has a tough job to resolve the problem of Maoist insurgency and restore peace in the country.

Narahari Acharya, a Nepali Congress leader and ideologue, who had contested for the post of party president against Koirala during the party’s 11th general convention last year said, “Koirala is a thorough politician and his continuous activeness in politics is his strength.”

When asked about criticism that Koirala always wants to be in power, Acharya said there was no ground to prove such allegations. “He has been in power as per the popular mandate only,” he added.

Acharya, however, said failure to formulate long-term vision and working accordingly are main weaknesses of Koirala.

Koirala, who suffers from heart problems, hypertension and asthma, is often criticized for not allowing any space to people who have different opinion than his.

Koirala : Time to deliver.
(Photo source : AP)

“There is no one in the Nepali Congress to challenge Koirala’s leadership thanks mainly to his untiring struggle for democracy and his active participation in the politics,” Acharya added.

Senior journalist Harihar Birahi says the strength of Koirala is his unwavering commitment to the cause of democracy and rule of law in the country. “Once he champions certain cause, its almost impossible to get him deviated from it,” he added. Koirala’s weakness, according to Birahi, is his tendency to take instant decisions without realizing its long-term consequences.

“Though Koirala may not remain much active due to his ill-health, he may still have a decisive and leading role in the government as his coalition partners have vowed to support him and he has the capability to work with a team sprit,” said Birahi.

Hari Sharma, a political scientist, who had earlier served as personal secretary to Prime Minister Koirala did not want to comment on the strength and weaknesses of Koirala. He, however, said since Koirala—a person with strong will power– has expressed his commitment to work for the sake of the country and people, he will be able to overcome most of the challenges with the popular support.

In its editorial, New hope in Nepal, Khaleej Times newspaper wrote on Monday: Koirala will have to work hard and act fast to put Nepal back on the track. (He) doesn’t have much time on his side.