NC prez Koirala evokes the spirit of consensus politics in a passionate speech at UML convention
In what appears to be a last-ditch effort to woo CPN (UML) into his fold, former prime minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala on Monday said that both NC and UML have “come to this stage” together going through “big crises”, and stressed on the need to give continuity to the cooperation that exists between the two parties.
“Forging consensus and working unity, we two parties have come to this stage now after going through big crises,” said Koirala after wishing success to the 8th general convention of the UML, speaking in its opening ceremony in Butwal. “Now another important thing that lies ahead of us is the responsibility to write a new constitution. For this, friends from all political parties should unite and work together… for the future welfare of the people and to build a new Nepal.” 
Clearly pointing at Maoists increasingly putting blame on “foreign forces” behind the instability and turmoil the country sees from time to time, the octogenarian leader said that “consensus, cooperation and unity” were the “three basic principles” which makes the foundation for nationality and they will also help Nepal become “powerful and prosperous”.
“This itself makes it look quite unnecessary to spill out expletives against any country,” said Koirala, and added that the effect of the instability and discord in Nepal will no doubt be seen in neighboring countries like India and China.
Pointing at the recent remarks by Prime Minister and Unified CPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Koirala said he doesn’t believe that “dreadful things will happen” like PM Dahal has been saying.
On Saturday, PM Dahal had directed cadres of the Unified CPN (Maoist) to stand ready for “another revolution” as the reactionaries are trying to derail the constitution drafting process and army integration to “sabotage the peace process”.
“Prachanda ji (the nom-de-guerre of PM Dahal) is also here (in the convention venue)…I feel he is having a very difficult time,” Koirala said in a slow and stammering tone that clearly showed his dwindling age.
But again regaining his composure, he continued, “All his recent speeches and remarks clearly make it look like he is having a tough time. But he should also understand, ask himself if consensus, cooperation and unity is necessary or not (in the present day Nepal).”
Then to loud cheers from the audience, he demanded an answer from PM Dahal in the convention venue itself.
“If Prachanda ji thinks that it (consensus and cooperation) is necessary then he should be able to act on it,” Koirala thundered.
Lastly, he said that the way all (most of the leaders of major political parties, including foreign invitees were present at the opening ceremony) were invited by UML to participate in its convention, “it looks to me as an effort to forge consensus and cooperation” and declared that “the politics of consensus, the politics of unity has started from this day”. nepalnews.com ag Feb 16 09
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