Bir Hospital,
Kathmandu
27th July, 1994
Respected Chairperson,
Nepali Congress, Central Working Committee,
Kathmandu
I extend my heartfelt gratitude, and humbly accept your invitation to attend today’s important party meeting. I am also respectful towards you for recognizing me as a founding member of the party, and as much as I desire to be physically present in the meeting, owing to my health, I am unable to. Therefore, I will attempt to present my beliefs and views via this letter. If you feel it to be suitable, kindly read this letter to the attending members.
The circular which was sent out earlier has illustrated the purpose of today’s meeting – “to discuss and find a solution to the political crisis we are faced with”. The question now remains – “How did we arrive here? Who got us here? As per my belief, if we find the answers to the above two questions, we would have found the solution. I have consistently shared my views and beliefs with everyone – I don’t think I will have to repeat myself.”
Today, the party and the nation are faced with this crisis because of ‘lack of discipline’. Lack of discipline begun when the Prime Minister started going against party agreements, and elected people who had lost in the general elections as public office holders. While destroying the balance of equitable representation, the Prime Minister further violated party agreements after reshuffling his cabinet without consulting the party.
I had protested then; I had warned everyone – “that instead of the dog wagging the tail, the tail is wagging the dog”. If the Prime Minister is at fault for not abiding by party protocols, the inability of the party to effectively direct the government is the party’s collective weakness.
Today’s entire problems have arisen owing to this ‘lack of discipline’. A solution cannot be found unless the root of the problem is addressed – and the root of the problem is that we overlooked this ‘lack of discipline’. Albeit a little late, I am happy the party has gathered to address the issue at hand.
I have repeatedly raised this issue – at the party’s working committee meeting, its council meeting, and its general convention – however many did not understand my views. Or maybe I failed in making my party friends understand. Therefore, we could not take timely steps. The council members meet also did not yield a suitable solution. As a result of it, I concluded that “Nepali Congress has completed its mission. Now it is a tired and a non-responsive party. It’s life (and glory) cannot be restored”. However, after 36 honest parliamentarians were laid off, I am reinvigorated to see this thing through. Unfortunately, while pursuing the same cause I became ill, and am currently at the hospital.
Chairperson,
The democracy which we fought for our entire lives is eroding by the day – its state has become so pathetic that I cannot even begin to describe it. This democracy which we were able to realise with the support of the people is on its deathbed because of us.
The damage which has been inflicted upon democracy and our party is irreparable. The Prime Minister took the party’s understanding nature for granted. The party, quoting ‘democracy and unity’ has forgiven the Prime Minister for countless number of times. The 36 lawmakers asked for justification, but weren’t provided any, therefore they were forced to take the step. They followed appropriate protocol to address their grievances, and to change the leadership – however, the Prime Minister, instead of addressing the grievances, or abandoning his Prime Ministerial position, recommended to dissolve the parliament.
While doing so, the Prime Minister has undermined democracy and violated the sanctity of the parliament.
I cannot elaborate how immoral, undisciplined and bad politics it is to recommend dissolving a parliament without consulting its own party.
The Prime Minister’s recommendation to relieve 113 lawmakers of its own party from their duties is a selfish act to retain power, and does not consider the 30 years dedicated to usher in democracy, and therefore formulate a parliament. It does not consider the countless lives that have been sacrificed for this same cause. Furthermore, it is a crime to push the nation towards such a political crisis.
“To recommend dissolving the parliament after losing confidence of its own party members is an unforgivable act committed by Girija Prasad Koirala. Silence in the face of injustice is complicity, and it further emboldens the perpetrator”.
For this crime committed by Girija babu, the public will make him pay. However, the public won’t punish Girijababu alone, but in fact they will punish entire Congress.
The party must immediately hold Girija Prasad Koirala accountable for his actions. He has committed several such crimes in the past, and Nepali Congress cannot afford to overlook these facts. Should our great leader B P Koirala be with us today, he would have proposed the same.
History does not repeat; however, incidents do repeat – in 1953 A.D, Matrika Prasad Koirala had committed a similar crime.
Respected Chairperson,
The stance taken by our General Secretary is the party’s stance. The Prime Minister’s recommendation to dissolve the parliament after being defeated in the House of Representatives has plunged the nation into a political crisis. I believe that we can come out of this crisis – and if we are able to resolve this crisis internally, His Highness will restore the parliament to lead the nation out of the crisis.
At this juncture, I would like to appeal to all of my friends to choose not sit and watch the spectacle. Everyone has to make a decision – to choose the party and protect Nepal’s democracy or a person.