In a bid to quell the activities of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN), police have arrested a total of 185 of its cadres, including district-level leaders, in the last one fortnight.

After the government announced restriction on the party on March 12, security forces, in recent times, have intensified search and arrest operations against the leaders and cadres of the ‘Bilpav’-led outfit.

Police on Thursday arrested Dip Kumar Gharti alias Samrat, deputy chief of the people’s council, Nawalpur, two days after they arrested Ramji Acharya, Chairman of All Nepal Teacher’s Organization of Rupandehi from his house at Rudrapur on Tuesday through their intelligence-based approach.

On the same day, several leaders and cadres, including Bheri Bureau Chief Dan Bahadur Fadera and former people’s government chief Santosh Basnet from Banke, landed in police net in separate operations.

Chief of the District Police Office, Banke, Superintendent of Police, Arun Poudel informed that six leaders of the Biplav outfit were arrested from different places of the district. These are a few representative incidences.

According to Spokesperson of the Nepal Police, Uttam Raj Subedi, police have so far arrested one hundred 85 cadres of the Biplav-led outfit, including Hemant Prakash Oli alias Sudarshan, mid-central command in-charge. He holds the highest rank among those arrested and is the third leader in hierarchy after Biplav and Prakanda – both of whom are underground.

Among others, police have arrested Krishna Kumar Shrestha alias Prajwal, Morang district in-charge.

Police arrested 22 Biplav-led party cadres from Kathmandu, 17 from Sindhupalchowk, 12 from Tanahun, 10 from Lalitpur, 9 from Kaski, 8 from Ilam, 7 from Chitwan, 6 each from Myagdi and Banke, 5 from Achham, 4 each from Saptari, Salyan, Sunsari, Solukhumbu, Bara, Rupandehi and Parsa, 3 each from Sarlahi, Kapilvastu, Kalikot, Dang, Nawalparasi East, Dhankuta, Pyuthan, Sankhuwasabha and Rolpa districts.

Likewise, police have arrested one each from Udayapur, Dolpa, Bhojpur, Ramechhap, Rukum West, Nawalparasi West, Rautahat, Lamjung, Panchthar, Makawanpur, Gorkha, Jhapa, Gulmi, Kailali, Dhading, Terhathum, Morang and Nuwakot districts.

The government has alleged the Biplap-led faction of creating terror in different parts of the country.

GORKHA: Three cadres of the Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’-led group have abandoned the faction citing dissatisfaction over the party’s recent activities.

The group’s district member Anil Kumal, youth member Gokul Kumal, and area committee member Meghraj Kumal abandoned the party by issuing a statement.

They said they decided to leave the group owing to the party’s activities saying they now would live as independent citizens.

BIRATNAGAR: Police arrested Krishna Kumar Shrestha, the Morang in-charge of the Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’-led Nepal Communist Party, today.

Shrestha was arrested from Morang. He is under custody at the Area Police Office, Dharan, police said.

KATHMANDU: Brigadier General Bigyan Dev Pandey has been appointed the new spokesperson of the Nepal Army.

Pandey replaces Yam Prasad Dhakal, who has been transferred as the head of the 2 number battalion in Hile, Dhankuta under the Eastern Division of the NA, according to the NA Public Relations Directorate.

KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress youth leader and former Minister for Health, Gagan Thapa is currently in the United States of America for study on ‘Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century’.

Minister Thapa on Wednesday posted a photo of his classroom captioning it ‘First day at Harvard Kennedy School. Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century. It’s exciting.’

Thapa had left Nepal for the USA on Tuesday after the university approved his application. Thapa was awarded with a scholarship last year but failed to attend owing to personal reasons. He will be returning Nepal after two weeks.

GHORAHI: Nepali Congress General Secretary Dr. Shashanka Koirala has said he is working hard to make the party better and further consolidated. He was speaking at a press meet organized by Nepal Press Union, Dang Chapter on Wednesday.

During the address, leader Koirala stressed on unity within the party. He was of the opinion that the party’s president has failed to run the party taking all into confidence. He was quick to add that the responsibility now befalls on him.

Coming down heavily on the incumbent government, he accused that people’s expectation has turned into frustration due to activities of the government.

KATHMANDU: Foreign Secretary of India Vijaya Keshav Gokhale is arriving Nepal on Thursday. He is arriving on Nepal on a two-day official visit.

Gokhale is scheduled to meet and discuss with his counterpart Shankar Das Bairagi about all aspects of Nepal-India relations same day, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He is also slated to pay separate courtesy calls on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali. He will be accompanied by joint secretary of India Sudhakar Dalela.

CHITWAN: Police have arrested seven district leaders of Nepal Communist Party led by Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’. Six among those arrested got their remand extended while one was held this morning.

According to DSP Durga Raj Regmi, Biplav cadres have been arrested from various districts. Police started arresting them since March 13.

District secretariat member Raj Kumar Timalsina, who is considered close to Bipalv, Bikram Neupane, president of All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union (Revolutionary), Birendra Multiple Campus unit, Gunaraj Shrestha of Rapti Municipality Janasarkar, District Member Bir Bahadur Tamang, and area in-charge of Chitwan 1 Jaya Bahadur Kunwar are among those arrested.

The details of those arrested this morning will be unveiled later as the investigation is still underway, said Regmi.

He further said police are searching 15 other cadres who are on the run after being charged for their involvement in the explosion carried out at the office of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-5.

Nepali Congress has a long history as a democratic party. Despite its ‘glamorous’ history, it now looks feeble on the political front. The party appears helpless following the demise of Girija Prasad Koirala. Khabarhub’s Jibaram Bhandari and Ishwar Dev Khanal talked with NC leader and Former Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala on contemporary politics. Excerpts:

Nepali Congress seems ineffective and powerless against the Communist. What’s your take on this?

There are many reasons for that. The main cause for it is the lack of a capable leadership to drive the party. Strong leadership should direct and operate the party. However, this is not happening. Frankly speaking, there is no leadership in the party.

It is sad to accept that that factionalism has gripped the party up to the grass-roots level. How can you expect a strong party in such circumstances? We need to end factionalism and I do not think the old leadership is capable of that. Thus, new leadership needs to come to the fore.

Moreover, the Nepali Congress used to carry a strong stance on nationalism, which had built faith in the people towards the party. The faith is diminishing with each passing day. The party has failed to take forward the three doctrines set by BP Koirala- nationalism, democracy and socialism. Thus, the party is in a critical juncture.

There are factions and sub-factions within the party. Current President Sher Bahadur Deuba is looking for another stint. There is the least possibility of the three members of Koirala family – Shekhar, Shanshak and you – coming together. Repetition of the leadership is likely. In such a context, how can the party get a capable leadership that can steer the party at this critical juncture?

It will be a misfortune for Nepali Congress if the same leadership returns to the helm. A timely change in the party is mandatory. If you closely observe the leadership, the same leadership is ruling the party for more than 30 years. Old faces have repeated. Party only becomes vibrant with timely changes. However, this is not happening. It is a high time for youths to steer the party out of crises.

It is sad to accept that that factionalism has gripped the party up to the grass-roots level. How can you expect a strong party in such circumstances? We need to end factionalism and I do not think the old leadership is capable of that. Thus, new leadership needs to come to the fore.

Can we assume that the three members of the Koirala family will stand together?

I am ready for that, as I do not have any greed for the post. I am ready for sacrifice and I do believe they will follow suit.

What will be the future of Nepali Congress if Sher Bahadur Deuba gets another inning as a President?

We face stern competition from Communist. If he gets another term in office, he should give up slowness and laziness. But, I don’t see this happening. His time is already up and he should leave his position for a new face.

Talking about religion, the party’s statute mentions Sanatan-Dharma (The Eternal Religion). One star out of four in our party’s flag signifies religious freedom. We should now focus on development rather than discussing religion as the Constitution has already barred forceful religious conversion. So, putting forth demands of reinstating Nepal as a Hindu State through referendum holds no meaning.

He has already failed and thus should clear ways for new leadership and focus on making the party stronger. The party faced a humiliating defeat in elections and he should take responsibility for that. More or less, we all are also responsible. Nonetheless, the main responsibility is on his shoulders. To revive the party, new faces should come to fore.

Can we say that Nepali Congress faced humiliating defeat as it left three doctrines set by its founding leader BP Koirala – nationalism, democracy and socialism and established secularism, federalism, and republicanism through a tie with Communist?

I do not think so. You cannot compare the 40 years old context with the present time. Now, globalization has shaped everything. Peoples Movement II would not have succeeded if Nepali Congress was a lone agitator. Co-work with Communist was the need of the hour. We should co-work with other forces if it benefits the country. The party is in the current situation due to itself. It is because of poor leadership. We should not pass the blame to others.

Talking about religion, the party’s statute mentions Sanatan-Dharma (The Eternal Religion). One star out of four in our party’s flag signifies religious freedom. We should now focus on development rather than discussing religion as the Constitution has already barred forceful religious conversion. So, putting forth demands of reinstating Nepal as a Hindu State through referendum holds no meaning. A referendum will invite bloodshed and grave situation in the country. Can a small country like Nepal withstand referendum? Impossible!

It is said that external forces play an instructive role in Nepal’s politics and Nepali leaders are forced to oblige owing to different reasons. Did you go through such a situation while you were in the office as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs?

I did not go through such situations, as I am an independent person. I did what I thought was right. I might have done something unknowingly but I always thought for the benefit of the country. When I was in office, the decade long conflict had recently ended and the situation was very fragile. Nobody neither pressurized nor instructed me.

Problems, if any, should be solved through convincing power. I have witnessed a lack of confidence and expression in Nepali leaders before foreigners. They severely lack convincing power too.

A small group criticizes Girija Prasad Koirala blaming that he betrayed the King politically by asking him to reestablish the dissolved parliament and opting for a republic. What is the reality? What is the cause for the country entering the republic?

Nepal entered republicanism due to the King. People have strong commitments for multi-party democracy and it cannot be wiped out from their brains. However, the King opted to curtail democracy. What happened at that time was right.

Nepal has gone through a different system and now need to be stable. Nepali Congress can play a pivotal role in that. Nepali Congress will revive and lead the country again.

There are accusations that the current government is working haphazardly as Nepali Congress has failed to come up with a strong Opposition. In such a situation, how can you be sure that Nepali Congress will revive and lead the country again?

Nepali Congress will revive once right persons reach in the leadership as the party has a long history and has been making its place in people’s heart since years. There are strong chances that the party will revive again. Party is full of power-mongers, thus Nepali Congress is going through such a situation.

It is said that foreign powers are flexing their muscles to bring instability in Province-2? What is your take on that?

I cannot point out reasons for bringing instability. But, I do believe Tarai will not split from Nepal. My heart says that Tarai people will stop the split. I completely disagree that foreign powers wish for the split.

KATHMANDU: Police have arrested 21 cadres of Nepal Communist Party led by Netra Bikram Chand alias Biplav in the last two days.

The cadres were rounded up from Chitwan, Achham, Tanahun, Nawalparasi, Nawalpur, Shankhuwasabha, Makwanpur, Ilam, Panchthar, Saptari, Sunsari and Bhojpur districts on Monday and Sunday night, according to a report in Kantipur daily.

Over five dozens Biplav cadres have landed in the police net following the government ban on its activities. The government decided to put an ban the Biplav-led NCP’s activities after a series of explosions took place across the country.

According to police, Achham district in-charge was injured during a cross-firing between security personnel and Biplav cadres in Ramaroshan Rural Municipality of Accham district.