Not only the audience, but Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai was also taken by surprise to see his cabinet colleague sport the national dress. Clad in western outfit, Prime Minister Bhattarai, who is also the UCPN (Maoist) vice chairman, was even seen sharing light moments with Shrestha.
Though the Maoist party does not have any official dress code, it has become a norm for them to shun the national dress. Breaking away from past traditions, Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the prime minister never wore Duara Suruwal for once during his nine months in office.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Narayankaji Shrestha (right) in Nepali national dress, Daura Suruwal, welcomes Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai at the Army Day function at Tundikhel on Sunday. Maoist leaders rarely wear the national dress in public. (Bijay Rai/Republica)
Dahal had sported a western-style outfit, except for the Nepali Topi, while taking the oath of office as prime minister on August 18, 2008. And his successor from the party, Bhattarai, and other Maoist members in the cabinet have followed suit.
Many observers see Shrestha´s sudden penchant for the national dress as his attempt to project himself as a “nationalist” leader. Both within the party and in the cabinet, Shrestha has been very particular about issues concerning national sovereignty, independence and the conduct of foreign policy.
But a few political analysts beg to differ. “Maoists want anarchy everywhere. Given their fickle character, I think this does not even deserve a comment,” said political analyst Muma Ram Khanal.
This is, however, not the first time Shrestha wore the national dress for a public function. “This is the second time he attended public function in Daura Suruwal,” said Minister Shrestha´s aide Susan Karmacharya. He wore the national dress to attend a farewell party for the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Yang Houlan a few weeks ago.
Ever since the Maoists, who have been championing multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society, joined mainstream politics in 2006, they have been struggling to hold their sway in constituencies dominated by certain caste and ethnic groups.
For instance, Maoist Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, who now holds the portfolio of the peace minister, had attended a rally of Chhetri community in Kathmandu last year wearing a Daura Suruwal, coat and a Nepali cap.
Daura Suruwal, coat and Nepali cap was made the official dress code for civil servants, including the prime minister and other ministers, after the crowning of King Birendra in Nepal. Though the dress code remained in place even after the political change of 1990, only senior officials followed the official dress code rigorously.
Following the political changes of 2006, Daura Suruwal is gradually losing its old world charm as many see this as remnants of the party-less Panchayati system.
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