An able coordinator, but will PM Nepal be able to deliver?
By Indra Adhikari
Madhav Kumar Nepal had been projected as the prime ministerial candidate
on several occasions in the past, but never made it. Now, rather
unexpectedly, political events have gone in his favour and he is the Prime
Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
This 56-year-old former general secretary of Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) has only
nine months of experience of governance when his party formed the minority
government under the leadership of Manmohan Adhikari some 15 years back.
He was then deputy prime minister but commanded as much authority as the
Prime Minister. The much praised reforms brought in by the minority
government go largely to his credit.
Born in Rautahat into a lower middle class Brahmin family, Nepal began his
political career at the age of 16, which carried on even when he was a
cashier at the Nepal Rastra Bank. Jailed for around two years during the
Panchayat era, Nepal lived a decade-long underground political life.
After the death of then general secretary Madan Bhandari in a mysterious
accident in 2050 B.C, the onus of UML leadership fell on his shoulders.
This was the period the party saw many ups and downs, splits and reunion.
His 15-years of party leadership ended with his and the UML's unexpected
loss in the constituent assembly elections last year.
A foremost leader during the 1990 Jana Andolan, Nepal was since projected
as the prime minister for at least five times. While he never held the top post
whereas his co-fighter of 1990 Girija Prasad Koirala reached this position
five times.
Nepal is described as a simple person and a better organiser within the party
ranks. His quality to listen to criticism patiently is well known, but his
critics describe him as a weak leader who cannot take decisions in
critical times. He refused the offer of prime minister after Lokendra Bahadur
Chand resigned and King informed to appoint him under Article 127 of the
constitution. However, he submitted his 'intention letter' to King
Gyanendra to be the prime minister after the collapse of Surya Bahadur
Thapa cabinet. This was one incident of Nepal for which he has often been
criticised, even ridiculed.
His lack of decision-making power is vividly reflected in the party that
he led: UML has never, over the years, stood firm to one decision. Many a
times, the party had to repent for the decisions it took.
Nepal's contribution to peace process is laudable. The over-hyped Siliguri
and Lucknow meetings with the underground Maoist leaders are praised as
his noble efforts to end the conflict. He was one of the instrumental
leaders behind the landmark 12-agreement with the Maoists in Delhi, which
effectively paved the way for the successful Jana Andolan II.
Despite his firm commitment to peace process, Nepal has not kept his lust
for power a secret. This has undermined his personality. He lost CA
elections from two constituencies and resigned as the party chief. But his
moral standing was questioned when he accepted offer to be nominated CA
member and lead the constitutional committee, the body carrying topmost
responsibility of writing the new constitution as mandated by the people's
movement. Of late, he has not been able to oversee his duty when he saw
chances of becoming the Prime Minister.
He also dreamt of making a second coming in his party as the chairman but
was sidelined in the general convention.
Nepal's early history had not been so. He rejected many opportunities
during the struggle period. In 2039 BS when CPN (ML) decided to sack its
general secretary C. P. Mainali, party leaders asked him to take up the
job. Nepal, Madan Bhandari and Jiv Raj Ashrit were the only politburo
members of the party at that time. His refusal to take up the job of
general secretary opened up way for Jhala Nath Khanal.
Above all, able managerial skills and coordinating role describe this
third communist prime minister's persona. The rise and fall of his moral
heights would be determined by how he runs the government and leads
the mission for writing a new constitution and establishing peace in the
country. nepalnews.com May 23 09
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