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FSU should introduce the practice of public auditing: Ram Kumari Jhankri
myrepublica.com: Are you ready for the election?
Jhankri: We are almost through with the preparations. Now, we are focusing our attention on the election day.
myrepublica.com: What would be your priority if you win the elections?
Jhankri: Our first priority would definitely be education. We will fight to address the ills plaguing Tribhuvan University (TU). The second priority is political. We will work towards protecting the achievements of People´s Movement II and making a conducive environment for framing the new constitution. We will fight against forces that are obstructing us from drafting a new constitution.
myrepublica.com: You talked of irregularities within TU. However, aren’t you responsible for it since ANNFSU was the largest student union for a long time?
Jhankri: FSU cannot work in isolation. The other organs of the government also have to work in tandem. In the last six to seven years, we directed all our energy to attaining democracy and making Nepal a republic. Prior to that, we were busy fighting violence and instability. We had very little time to address educational issues. Also, whenever we brought them forward, we could not do much because the government was not responsive. However, since we no longer have to fight for democracy and republic, we can work on these issues.
myrepublica.com: There are allegations that corruption is rampant within colleges and student unions are also involved in it. ANNISU-R has made this their prime election slogan. What is your take on that?
Jhankri: I don’t deny the prevalence of corruption in our union but compared to the other student bodies it is negligible. Also, whenever such cases have come up in our union, we have taken stern action against the guilty.
There is an absence of a mechanism in FSU to check and balance the expenses made by the chairperson. We want a practice of public auditing to be in place. This needs to be done immediately.
ANNISU-R has been harping on the slogan not to vote for corrupt student bodies but before making such allegations, they should put their own house in order first. There is no doubt such irregularities are higher in NSU but it not us but they who have to clarify or defend it.
“Rebel candidates are not from our union.”
myrepublica.com: What about your alliances with other student unions, chiefly the ANNISU-R?
Jhankri: We have not only formed alliances with ANNISU-R but also with NSU at different colleges. There is nothing unholy about it.
myrepublica.com: It´s alleged that ANNISU-R did not allow some of your candidates to file their nomination in some colleges. At the same time, you are forging alliances with them. Are you doing this at places where you are not confident of victory?
Jhankri: Yes, they did not allow our candidates to file nominations in four colleges. We told Lekhnathji (ANNISU-R´s chairperson) that even if candidates from other unions had not filed their nominations, they should have waited and encouraged them. How do others know whether they were in the majority or minority when they do not contest the elections at all? He has realized that it was a mistake. Most probably, we will go for repolling in these colleges.
Forging alliances is not a compulsion. Even at the centre, our mother party CPN-UML is a part of the Maoist-led coalition government. It is just a reflection of the reality of national politics.
myrepublica.com: Does the party dictate the alliances?
Jhankri: The Maoists were seeking to put a stamp of legitimacy to their CA victory, hence they were reluctant to proceed with the idea. Even in NC and our own party, there were people who were opposed to the idea. Ultimately, however, all the parties okayed it. The parties, however, do not dictate the nitty-gritty’s. At least, it does not happen in our union.
myrepublica.com: What about rebel candidates in your union?
Jhankri: Yes, there are rebel candidates in three colleges but they are not from our union. They are being discreetly backed by some forces who do not want to see us win. We have been requesting them to withdraw their nomination. Some of them have already agreed. Those who do not agree will be expelled from the party for 10 years. This is an organization and there are rules. There is a rule for voicing dissent as well.
myrepublica.com: It maybe true that some of the rebel candidates are being backed by some other forces but it may also be possible that some popular and deserving candidates were not given a chance?
Jhankri: There have only been two instances in our union’s history when there were rebel candidates. Hence, this is not about popular candidates not getting a vote. They are backed by some forces outside the union.
myrepublica.com: Why should students vote for you? What change do you offer?
Jhankri: Why shouldn´t students vote for us? Have we misused the trust bestowed on us in the past? We have delivered in the past and we will deliver in the future.
myrepublica.com: Who is your strongest opponent?
Jhankri: It varies. In some colleges, it is NSU while in some others it is ANNISU-R. We are either in the No.1 or the No. 2 position in almost all the colleges.
myrepublica.com: Does your party listen to you?
Jhankri: It is important for the party to listen to us. I am confident that henceforth the party will listen to us. The days when we were not heard are over.
myrepublica.com: What is your prediction about your position in this year´s election?
Jhankri: We will emerge as the largest student union.
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Students will vote for us because of our democratic values: Pradip Poudel
myrepublica.com: Tell us about your preparations for the election.Poudel: Campaigning and distribution of publicity materials is on in full swing. We are almost through with filing nominations in colleges across the country. We are meeting different groups of students and informing them about the importance of this election.
myrepublica.com: Hasn’t there been any incident of violence during the filing of nomination papers?
Poudel: Till now, nothing major has happened. So far, it has been peaceful. NSU will make sure not to let such things happen. We believe in ideology and if the students trust that we will lead them. If the students place their trust on others, we are ready to accept that as well.
myrepublica.com: Though your union has also forged alliances, it is mostly the ANNFSU and ANNISU-R who are contesting the election jointly?
Poudel: If we can come to a consensus on issues, we can forge alliances with anyone. Our door is open. We are ready to forge alliances with anyone who believes in democratic ideals and is ready to improve Nepal’s education system.
“It is natural for others to talk about corruption in FSU but it’s weird when ANNISU-R brings this up. We haven’t looted banks nor have we coerced people into giving us funds.”
We have seen during gatherings that there is a huge support of NSU. The turnout has been fantastic. If we are able to refine our internal working mechanism, I see no reason why we cannot win. In fact, our victory will be better and bigger than the previous elections.
myrepublica.com: There have been quite a number of issues that your union has faced in the run up to the elections such as rebel candidates filing nominations. How do you see that?
Poudel: In some colleges, the number of students and our supporters is huge. Hence, the demand for contesting the election is also high. We cannot accommodate the desire of all the students, hence this has happened. However, we will convince them to withdraw the nominations by the stipulated time.
myrepublica.com: Categorically, what is your agenda for the elections?
Poudel: There are two parts to it: political and educational.
Talking of the political agenda, we have been able to establish democracy in the country because of the sacrifice of the students. The other student bodies— ANNFSU and ANNISU-R —do not believe in democracy as can be seen from what their parties are doing. They are bent on destroying democracy. Only NSU can stand as a force against this. In order to institutionalize democratic ideals and principles and to frame a new constitution, it is essential for the NSU to win. They can work as a significant pressure group. We also have a role as the country is going towards a federal structure. It is essential for us to win as we are the only student body that respects and gives space to differing opinions.
Talking of education, TU is presently in a crisis. There are irregularities in the admission process, the exams are not held on time and the results are published long, long after the completion of exams. We can work towards putting TU in order. We want TU to publish an annual calendar and implement is stringently.
myrepublica.com: Isn’t your union responsible for the mess in TU as you have been one of the largest student bodies for long? ANNISU-R has also been laying the blame squarely on your union and ANNFSU for corruption in FSU.
Poudel: We have to answer this question by dividing the bygone years into different eras. For 10-12 years after the FSU came into existence some 30 years back, it was very effective. Because of FSU, students joined hands to overthrow the autocratic Panchayati regime in 1990. After that, yes, the student movement should have concentrated on educational and not political issues. True, that could not happen and educational issues were relegated to the background. After the king took over power in 2005, the student unions again had to play a political role.
ANNISU-R was not with us during these times. They were in the jungles carrying guns but we were here right next to the-then Narayanhiti Royal Palace fighting for democracy. Hence, to establish democracy and to overthrow the monarchy peacefully, the student organizations minus the Maoists played a crucial role and we led the movement.
As far as the question of corruption in FSU is concerned, it is natural for others to talk about it, but it’s weird when ANNISU-R brings this up. We haven’t looted banks nor have we coerced people into giving us funds.
myrepublica.com: What is your educational policy?
Poudel: Right now, the government’s educational policy is a disaster. Our movement is for increasing the investment in education. Previous governments had invested 16.8 percent of the budget on education but this government has brought it down to 16.3 percent.
Only 60 percent of the students sitting the SLC examinations pass it. Out of that only 15 percent are from government schools, meaning 85 percent of students from public schools fail. This is not the failure of students but of the state. What we want is that examinations should be conducted after Higher Secondary and students should be categorized into three grades. Grade A students should go for technical education, Grade B students should go for general studies and Grade C students should go for vocational education.
myrepublica.com: How will you fare in this election?
Poudel: Leftists have forged alliances because their ideology is the same. We believe in democratic ideals. Hence, ideologically, no one is our opponent. Since, our ideology is for democracy, we believe that we will do better than the previous elections. Organizationally, our contestant differs from college to college.
myrepublica.com: The other two student bodies forged alliances because of a similar ideology? But did you forge alliances with them in some places because you consider yourself weak there?
Poudel: We can form alliances with ANNFSU because despite them being a communist party, they have democratic inclination. However, if they tilt towards the Maoists ideologically, we may decide not to form alliances.
myrepublica.com: Where do you get the finances to contest the elections?
Poudel: We haven’t spent more than we did in the previous elections. The center provides posters and election manifesto. We have only spent the required amount to print these. At the local level, we have requested support from people. Also, like some of the other student unions, we haven’t spent money on admitting students just for the sake of elections.
myrepublica.com: Does the party influence your decisions?
Poudel: No, not really. It just wants us to win the elections peacefully and on the basis of our ideology.
myrepublica.com: The elections so far, as you have claimed, have been peaceful? But, say, if in the coming days, if other student unions resort to violence, how will you tackle it?
Poudel: We have said that there should be fair completion between students. The others should not bring people from outside the colleges and pollute the election environment. We do not believe in violence, in fact we condone it. If such a situation comes up, we will try to control it. However, if some student body really pushes us too far, we will also not sit quietly.
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So far, this has been the most peaceful election in FSU history: Lekhnath Neupane
myrepublica.com: Tell us about your preparations for the elections?
Neupane: Except for a few colleges, we are through with filing nominations in all the colleges. Now, we are focusing on taking our agenda and our contestants in the midst of students.
myrepublica.com: Generally, we have seen that there is violence during the time of filing nominations. How has this year been?
Neupane: There are two aspects to it. One has to do with issues within the organization and the other with issues between organizations. Within the organization, as you have seen, it has been smooth sailing. We did not have issues of rebel candidates like the other two major unions.
Second, between unions, nothing untoward has happened. We hope and we will work hard to maintain this until the ballots are cast on Thursday. If this can be done, then this would be one of the most peaceful elections in the history of FSU elections.
myrepublica.com: You have also forged alliances with other student bodies. What is the reason for this?
Neupane: In Nepal, there is a tremendous influence of leftists. 70 percent of the people like the communists. In the CA, 62 percent of the members are leftists. In the government, the leftists are in the majority. Our belief is that if the leftists can come together, this can usher in a big change. Hence, we want to move ahead hand-in-hand with forces having a similar ideology.
"Even if we one seat, it means traditional student organizations have lost one seat."
The other gelling factor is the agenda. We want to bring change but the NSU believes in status quo. Our belief is that to restructure the state, FSU and education system, we have to move ahead together with those who are not status quoist.
The third thing is that there are a few issues in which we agree with some organizations. On this basis too, we have forged alliances.
myrepublica.com: Are you saying that NSU is your prime opponent?
Neupane: At this point of time, I don´t want to give comments that would pollute the environment of the elections. However, what I am talking about is the tendency that is best reflected in its representatives. We are against the tendency to resist state restructuring and efforts to take back the country to a parliamentary system which has already proved a failure. Speaking of education, we oppose forces that continue to support privatization and commercialization and those that try to maintain the status quo at TU.
myrepublica.com: Any projection on how your union will fare in the elections?
Neupane: Even if we one seat, it means traditional student organizations have lost one seat. We have noticed that the students are attracted to our agenda of state, FSU and education system restructuring. The third selling point is that historically we have never been governed by our own interests. No one has that history. The students know that a new Nepal cannot be run by traditional student bodies. They understand that a change is needed. I can´t make an estimate of the numbers but we will emerge as the country’s biggest and most powerful student union.
myrepublica.com: Who is your strongest rival?
Neupane: There are two kinds of rivals: one in terms of ideology and the other in terms of organization. Ideologically, NSU is our rival. Organizationally, it differs from place to place, district to district and college to college.
myrepublica.com: Categorically, can you highlight your prime agendas?
Neupane: First, it is restructuring the state. I am saying this because we are going towards federalism and for that we are making a new constitution.
The second is education. We believe that secondary education should be uniform throughout the country while higher education should be run on a public-private partnership model. The objective, however, should not be commercial but service. We want higher education to be divided into three parts: vocational education, technical education and general education.
myrepublica.com: Does the party dictate your union on alliances and the election modus operandi?
Neupane: No, not much in the context of FSU elections. At least, it does not happen in our union.
myrepublica.com: Where do you get the finances to contest election?
Neupane: There are two sources. In the centre, we have a budget of one million for this election. This is spent for three things: to publish publicity materials and the election manifesto and for travel of central members to and fro from Kathmandu to other parts of the country. We will manage to cover everything with this amount. We had prepared a letter requesting for funds. Through that, we collected money ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 20,000. For expenses at the local level, the local students and colleges are responsible.
myrepublica.com: It´s alleged that your union has recently admitted combatants from the cantonments in nearby colleges?
Neupane: Let´s understand this in two ways. One, the citizen of this country irrespective of whether s/he serves in the Nepali Army or is a member of the People’s Liberation Army has the right to education. The person just has to be eligible and pay the fees. I think our friends in the cantonment have not only been admitted in nearby colleges but also in +2s. Isn’t this something good? Second, if anyone can prove that we have admitted students just for the sake of casting votes in the coming elections, then we are ready to acknowledge it and say sorry to the country.
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