Perhaps, Congress is led by one of the most incompetent presidents of all time who finds his competency in dissolving the elected sister organizations. Guided by small coterie of ´conspiracy experts´, he has proved his insensitivity once again in handling party affairs. During Girija Prasad Koirala´s tenure, he led a group of ´intrigue experts´ and was responsible for bringing a divide between top leaders, adapting to strategies and means detrimental to party´s functioning. The president carries an unfavorable past that will neither stop haunting his present nor future.
The situation has further worsened due to chicken-hearted attitude displayed by a parliamentary leader, Mr Ram Chandra Poudyel and his group. Confined within a small group of supporters and the ethos of narrow-mindedness politics, he could neither rise to any occasion nor could win over trust of party cadres. He dangled between Girija Prasad Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai camps unable to leave behind any impressions. Within Congress, he is well-known for not following ´gentlemen agreements´ taken place between his colleagues. Central members were taken by surprise when he did not hesitate to accept the charges in the central working committee meeting of the September 20.
The greatest weakness of the other side of the camp led by Sher Bahadur Deuba lies in the leader Deuba himself. None of the leaders of his camp seem to have helped him either rectify his weaknesses and improve his individuality. Deuba is recognized as someone who does not bother to walk any unscrupulous path to capitalize power. Further, unlike the president and vice-president, he is disconnected with the vibrancy of society and national constituencies. The Deuba camp needs a fresh look, introspection in their perspective to look at the larger issues of society. Unfortunately, given the nature of politics Nepal is suffering from and the stiffness and arrogance of individual leaders surrounding Deuba, introspection and rectification seems almost impossible.
Moreover, the party president and the opposition camp seem to have forgotten the direction of the recently held 12th convention. The party president was directed not to minimize the importance of the minority camp led by Sher Bahadur Deuba for having received 45.31 percent of votes against 54.66 percent. This neither allows him to by-pass the concern raised nor implement agendas without taking minorities into confidence.
In addition, the newly-elected president seem to have forgotten the ethos underlying the agreement reached between the then Nepali Congress and Nepali Congress (D) respectively represented by late Girija Prasad Koirala and Sher Bahadur Deuba. But this does not provide leverage to Deuba to obstruct each and every agenda brought forth by the party president. If Deuba expects Sushil Koirala to respect the minorities, same can be expected of minorities toward the party president and the majority.
Congress leadership has become obsolete as they have given up their attempts to update the required skills and capacity to address the dynamism of present society. Sushil Koirala, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ramchandra Poudyel are the by-products of 1950s movement and like to remain in a small cocoon constructed by their own ´self-image´.
It is true that in the history of Congress, political clashes between leaders have taken place many times that has even gone to the extent of party splits. However, there are two stark differences between the previous and present conflicts. In the past, in spite of intense conflicts, Congress consistently remained at the centre of Nepali politics for it could connect itself to the aspirations of common people through its struggles and ideology. People had faith in its ability for it could advance the causes and agendas for liberation movement.
In addition, the political qualities of its leaders were unparallel. B P Koirala was not only the vice-president of the Socialist International, but provided leadership to the global socialist movement. Perhaps Krishna Prasad Bhattarai was the only prime minister who had no private property for his personal use. Moreover, the Congress developed an ´image´ common people would look to associate with. Unfortunately, the Congress and its leader´s connectivity to its root are completely lost today.
But leadership matters. Congress leadership has become obsolete as they have given up their attempts to update the required skills and capacity to address the dynamism of present society. Sushil Koirala, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ramchandra Poudyel are the by-products of 1950s movement and like to remain in a small cocoon constructed by their own ´self-image´. They don´t realize how swiftly time has changed and so has their ´image´. For the betterment of Congress, society and nation, it is important for them to realize that their ´image´ does not attract larger society anymore.
Nepali Congress will be relived of its stress if these three leaders are relieved from regular politics. It would be naïve to claim that as soon as these leaders retire from politics, the Congress would automatically revive itself. The Congress revival will be based upon how the new leaders will broadly and specifically work at the organizational and ideological level. Nevertheless, their retirement from regular politics will at least allow the new generation of leaders to test their own merits.
If Congress is a party that has fought consistently for democracy, it is equally responsible for weakening it. And the President Sushil Koirala, Sher Bahadur Deuba and Ram Chandra Poudyel are equally responsible for demoralizing democracy. But since it is the party president who has larger responsibility as he enjoys the largest authority in the party, he should be prepared either to rectify his decision or face the repercussions of the present conflict.
The leaders should not panic much about the fate of Congress. Unless any party gains democratic credentials like Congress, the party will not extinguish completely. If these three top leaders feel that they still would like to contribute to Nepali politics, they may wish to follow the suggestion of legendary Laxmi Prasad Devkota, "We Nepalis are highly influenced by religion. Since religious life and society of Nepal desire an ideal system instead of arcane communism, we may lean to spiritual type of democracy." Can Nepali Congress leaders and cadres reflect on it? And if they are too chronic in dissolving, why don´t they attempt to dissolve their extreme lust for power, personal arrogance and ignorance, paving the path for spiritual democracy?
Sameer is the author of a book Unfinished Journey: The Story of a Nation and can be reached at sharmasumit77@gmail.com
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