Kathmandu: At a Danish embassy reception last Saturday, the UML leader, Madhav Nepal, became the center of attraction for all those attending the diplomatic gathering.
Admittedly, Mr. Nepal drew a crowd around him, which comprised of Ambassadors from Russian Federation, Thailand, Bangladesh, Egypt, Norway, Charge de’ Affaires of the U.S. Embassy and the UN resident representative plus the Pakistani and British diplomats.
The Nepalese leaders who were in the crowd were Pashupati Rana of the RPP. NPC vice chairman, Dr. Sharma later joined the group when he could notice that Madhav Nepal is being provided importance and significance on the occasion. Needless to say, the Danish Charege De Affaires, Mr. Gert Meinecke occasionally attended to the crowd to listen to what Madhav nepal had to say on the events that followed after the Five Party Alliance failed to send his name to the Palace.
By and large, the attending diplomatic crowd appealed Madhav Nepal to behave in a manner that suited to a responsible party of the sort of the UML and save the country from going to the dogs.
The Ambassador of the RF, Valery Nazarov tentatively acted as if he were the chairman of the mini-talkathon.
Much ahead of this convergence of the Ambassadors, this scribe asked the Communist leader whether he could name the person who damaged his prospects from becoming the nation’s prime minister.
“Ask President Koirala”, is what Madhav Nepal told this scribe.
Later, Mr. Nepal was encircled by a dozen of high ranking diplomats who preferred to listen to Mr. Nepal’s immediate plans and the prospects of the UML party joining the Deuba establishment.
“We have certain conditions to be accepted by prime minister Deuba prior to joining or even supporting the government by remaining outside the government”, said a somber Madhav Nepal who could not hide his anger towards the FPA that made his prospects bleak under the instigation of Koirala.
To yet another question of this scribe, Madhav Nepal, however, maintained that his party will continue to support the cause of the FPA as and when there was a threat to democracy.
Most of the Ambassadors appealed Mr. Nepal to understand the gravity of the situation and take measures that brought back normalcy in the country and also suggested him to participate in the system of governance which, according to them, would enhance the prestige and the very credibility of the Deuba set while dealing with the insurgents.
While these conversations were in progress, Mr. Nepal suddenly turned towards the U.S representative, Mr. Boggs, and asked whether his country would have accepted a government led by the UML?
The US diplomat preferred to avoid responding to Mr. Nepal’s question.
But then yet the manner the UML leader was appreciated and honored by the galaxy of foreign diplomats does tell that the UML could garner greater support from the international powers than the congress provided the party opted to reject the sickle and hammer from their red flag.
All in all, a sort of moral pressure was built on Madhav Nepal which time permitting will have its positive impact on the overall politics of the country in the near future.
The UML leader, Madhav Nepal, by all angles is now a matured politician who enjoys tremendous recognition in the comity of nations based in the capital.