UML awaits a big-fight: Woli and Gautam sidelined

June 30, 2004
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Kathmandu: The UML is heading towards a major political crisis that if not handled with care possesses the seeds of bringing about a vertical split in the party.

The required seeds are already there and just await its sowing. However, the time appears not to have become ripe.

A highly enthusiastic UML could have concluded that by supporting Sher Bahadur Deuba government, the party would reap maximum political benefits at time of the election if at all it happened in a year or two. However, the party’s internal dissensions appear to take its toll prior to even joining the Deuba government.

Insiders of the UML say that while the party is providing an impression to the laymen that it is busy in finalizing the names of those who should be sent to represent the party in the government, the fact is that the party is engulfed in a severe crisis of confidence in and among its own top-ranking stalwarts.

Sources say that Madhav Nepal’s extra ambitions mixed with a bit of hegemonic attitude is becoming hard to digest to his equally competent colleagues, for example, K.P.Woli and the known detractor, Bam Dev Gautam.

“The manner Madhav Nepal has been sidelining his opponents in the party is sure to boomerang shortly”, claim those who appear close to Woli and Gautam.

Frustrated by Madhav’s recent overtures, mainly after the formation of the Deuba government, K.P.Woli, perhaps thought it more prudent to stay aloof from the party’s activities and announced that he would in no way join the government.

In saying so, K.P.Woli hinted two things. Firstly, he knew that he would not be sent to the government and hence the advance rejection. Secondly, his rejection to any post in the government does also speak of the fact that in the recent days his relations with his own party boss were not that comfortable.

That comrade Woli is not happy with what is going on in his own party becomes clear from the fact that of late the veteran communist leader has put a brake on his lectures and appearing in interview columns of various newspapers.

This does tell that Woli in all likelihood is not in even good talking terms with his boss-Madhav Nepal.

Woli supporters maintain that there has been a calculated effort from the Madhav Nepal’s quarter to cut the sizes of his detractors for fear of being marginalized if the detractors were sent to the cabinet.

No less interesting is the story of Gautam.

A straight-forward personality as he is, Gautam, even predicted in advance that his chances of being sent to represent the UML in the cabinet were simply bleak for he was yet considered a man who remained instrumental in breaking the party some years back.

“The charge is still on my personality and it could take some years when I will be absolved from this charge”, said a blunt Gautam the other day to the press.

In saying so, Gautam did ventilate his internal feelings that although he was serving the party but with a tainted face. Gautam, however, knows the tricks being played by his detractors and claims that only those who happen to be the close and trusted aides of the UML strongman would be sent to join the Deuba cabinet. He, nevertheless, hides his displeasure by saying that the party must send those who could match with the representations of other parties in the cabinet.

“Don’t send stupid and idiots”, says Gautam.

Speaking to the Nepali media the other day, Gautam slightly hinted that personalities like him were being deliberately sidelined for reasons unknown to him.

Analysts say that such leg-pulling activities more often than not were a common feature in communist societies. The ruling strongman would wish not to elevate the ranks of his declared competitors and rivals for fear of being politically outmaneuvered.

Bam Dev Gautam and K.P.Woli appear to have been the victim of this fear psychosis.

Nevertheless, to expect that Gautam and Woli will instantly initiate actions that go against party GS, Madhav Nepal, will be a foolish act. However, what is for sure is that if Madhav’s negligence towards Woli and Gautam were correct then a minor jolt would soon shake the party whose impact would be greater than what supporters of Madhav might have in their minds.

The fact is that this time Madhav Nepal has to face the challenges posed to his authority by nonelessthan Woli and Gautam who command respect and honor in the party and still even their detractors and supporters alike are attentively hearing their voices.

How the two UML towering personalities react to the UML representation in the Deuba cabinet will have determined the fate and the course of action that this party will take in the future.

Tentatively speaking, the initial preparation for a possible big-fight is taking shape, albeit clandestinely. If the fight is there, Madhav Nepal is the loser.