'UML has proposed sacking all controversial figures'

Ishwar Pokharel, general secretary of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), strongly opposes the government’s bid to take action against army Chief Rookmangud Katawal. He says that sacking the army chief will create a serious political problem in the country. In an exclusive interview with Ghanashyam Ojha at the UML party office in Balkhu on Monday, Pokharel told myrepublica.com that he was aware of the government’s decision to seek clarification from the army chief, while objecting to the manner in which it was sought.

Excerpts from the interview:

Myrepublica.com: Is it necessary to take action against the army chief to establish the authority of the civilian government?

Ishwar Pokharel: There is no alternative to consensual politics in the current political situation. The army chief can only be sacked through national consensus as it is a national issue. There are formal documents wherein we agreed to move forward through national consensus, right from the 12-point agreement to all agreements that followed. Everybody and every political party must honor the past agreements and respect the culture of political consensus.

Myrepublica.com: What can be the national consensus over the army controversy in the light of the fact that the Maoists seem bent on sacking the army chief?

Pokharel: The UML’s proposal to settle the current controversy is to move ahead by removing all controversial figures involved in this controversy.

Myrepublica.com: Do you mean to say that Katawal, Defense Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa and army chief-in-waiting Kul Bahadur Khadka should be removed and Chhatraman Gurung should be made the Chief of Army Staff?

Pokharel: If the situation demands, the Maoists should be ready to do so. The country should not be kept in a state of confusion and chaos. We have to be ready for all alternatives and the alternative that I spoke of above is the best one to settle the row.

Myrepublica.com: The controversy began with the government’s act of seeking clarification from army chief Katawal. Do you think the government made a mistake by seeking the clarification?

Pokharel: An elected government has the right to seek clarification from the chief of its security wings whether it is the Nepal Army or Nepal Police or the Armed Police Force. If the government’s authority of seeking clarification is discouraged, it will have serious repercussions in the future. Then, the government will not be able to seek clarification from anyone even if they commit serious mistakes. But the UML doesn’t support the way in which questions were asked to the army chief in the name of seeking clarification.

Myrepublica.com: It means you were aware of the government’s plan to seek clarification from General Katawal?

Pokharel: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had discussed the issue with me and our Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal. But we were not aware of the details.

Myrepublica.com: How can you say you were not aware of the details when it’s know that the cabinet prepared the questions and the UML ministers in the government approved it?

Pokharel: Our friends didn’t tell us about the contents.

Myrepublica.com: The UML, in the past, had submitted a memorandum to the prime minister supporting the army chief’s move to recruit soldiers and it had also officially decided that the tenure of eight army generals be extended in opposition to the Defense Ministry’s objection. Doesn’t the latest government move to seek clarification on these issues contradict your party’s official stance?

Pokharel: Yes. It seriously contradicts our party’s official stance. That is why we maintain that the questions asked to the army chief were highly objectionable.

Myrepublica.com: Don’t you think senior UML leader and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam violated the party decorum by going against the party’s official stance?

Pokharel: Yes. Our friends seem to have forgotten our party’s official stance. It is the responsibility of every UML cadre to stand by the party’s stand on different issues. Those friends who made the mistake of forgetting our party’s official stance should either realize their mistake or the party leadership should seriously think of making the party’s position stronger in the government.

Myrepublica.com: So, how do you think the party leadership can make the party’s position stronger in the government?

Pokharel: There can be an alternative.

Myrepublica.com: Do you mean to say that the party should send new faces in the government?

Pokharel: That can be one of the alternatives.

Myrepublica.com: It is also said that you put forward a proposal to sack army chief Katawal?

Pokharel: I already told you that I was aware of the government’s decision to seek clarification from the army chief though I never proposed it.

Myrepublica.com: Why is UML opposed to taking action against army Chief Katawal?

Pokharel: We discussed the various fallouts that could result if the army chief is sacked. We reached a conclusion that it is a issue of national importance and requires national consensus. Our geo-political situation and current political equation demands political consensus over such issues.

Myrepublica.com: Does the UML see an underlying reason behind the Maoist’s all-out efforts to sack Katawal?

Pokharel: Maoist leaders’ dubious expressions in the past few days and their activities give us a reason to be doubtful. They attacked the press, the judiciary and their latest act of taking action against the army chief must be seen as a part of a series of such activities. The Maoists are still in the process of transformation; they are yet to completely transform into a democratic force. They haven’t yet realized the fundamental values of democracy. Controversial remarks from some of the high-ranking Maoist leaders have made us doubtful about their intentions. Many times in the past, the Maoists have made commitments and violated them.

Myrepublica.com: How will your party react if Prime Minister Dahal sacks the army chief ignoring suggestions from all political parties?

Pokharel: That will be very unfortunate for the country and for the peace process. If Premier Dahal sacks the army chief violating the culture of consensus, the new constitution can’t be written on time and the peace process will get derailed. We will strongly object it. And it will not help the Maoists either. We have already warned them of severe consequences and believe the premier has realized the gravity of our warning. Maoist can’t move ahead without consensus.

Myrepublica.com: Do you mean to say that the UML will quit the government if the prime minister sacks the army chief?

Pokharel: This issue is not about Rookmangud Katawal as an individual. It is an issue of national importance. And the UML will have to act responsibly.

Myrepublica.com: As was reported by the media, do you believe the army was preparing for a coup?

Pokharel: It cannot be completely ruled out. Some people may conspire to constrict the rights of people.

ghanashyam@myrepublica.com