Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Girijaspeak: When Republicans Are Royalists


Girija says Narahari Acharya and Gagan Thapa are "royalists." Acharya and Thapa just so happen to be the two most visible, vocal republican names under the NC umbrella. Logic?

Girija made sure there were no media people around before he made his remarks. Logic?

His remarks displeased most people in his hearing distance, not to say beyond. Logic?

Girija has said a republican setup is out of question. But then he is on record saying he is for a Constituent Assembly. How can you be for both? An Assembly turns the monarchy into an open topic of debate to be decided by the people. Logic?

Girija is for House revival, which is to say the 1990 constitution is alive and kicking. But he is also for a Constituent Assembly, which is to say the 1990 document is dead. Logic?

Girija repeatedly warns the king the country is on its way to becoming a republic, which means he is a closet republican. But then he has made it absolutely clear he is not a republican. Logic?

Girija is and has always done his very best to undermine all the up and coming names within the Nepali Congress. But he accuses the likes of Gagan Thapa of wanting to disband the party? Is Gagan Thapa that big a threat? So big that if Gagan Thapa were to want, there might not be a Nepali Congress tomorrow? Logic?

In a monarchy, the sovereignty might rest with Gyanendra. In a democracy, the sovereignty might rest with the people. But in the Nepali Congress the sovereignty rests with Girija. Logic?

In a democratic party policy decisions would be made by the central committee and the general convention. But in Girija's party policy decisions are made when Girija faces a microphone at this or that public event. Logic?

Absolute monarchy is hell, but the 1990s were no paradise either. But Girija has been singularly silent on the self-criticism front. Logic?

When the palace detains and releases Girija, he is a freedom fighter. When the palace detains and releases Gagan, he is a palace lackey. Logic?

There was Shaha Rule, then Rana Rule, then Shaha Rule, then Koirala Rule, then Shaha Rule. Logic?

Girija wants the king to be brought within the law. But he does not want the kingship to end. Kings are, by definition, above the law. Logic?

The last time Girija was a student was when he failed his I.A. exams, which was some time in the last century. But he shows up at the NSU convention in Pokhara, and tries to steer its proceedings. Logic?
In The News
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Monday, August 15, 2005

5 Steps To Democracy



  1. Take over power: Take Over Tundikhel.
  2. Build a democratic party, the total, transparent kind: Janata Dal Constitution.
  3. Introduce a democratic constitution into the country: Proposed Constitution.
  4. Promise rapid economic growth in the aftermath: 21st Century Nepal.
  5. Go global with it: Reorganized UN, Methods.
I just received news of foul play by the Koirala faction at the Nepal Student Union convention in Pokhara in an email from Somnath Ghimire. This is beyond ridiculous. It has been shamelessly customary for individuals to get double and triple Masters degrees so they can continue to be students and continue to contest the student elections. But for someone over 80 to jump into the fray is beyond shameless. Girija should just plain stay out.

But he is not going to.

And I received this amazing email from an amazing student leader of an amazing global student group yesterday. (Email From Charlie Szrom, Email To Charlie Szrom)

You put these two together and you get a dynamite of a cocktail.

I think Gagan Thapa should break away from a party that has only humiliated him and instead go directly to the people.

Gagan Thapa has become the face of the movement for democracy in Nepal. It is not Girija. Gagan is clean, Girija is not. Gagan is clear, Girija is fuzzy. Gagan is fresh, Girija is stale.

The movement for democracy needs a fresh break, a fresh, dynamic start.

I would be happy to engage in some major fund-raising from my end. The growth could be spontaneous and fast. But the lead has to be taken.

A Gagan Thapa who will not let a King Gyanendra scare him should not let some Girija scare him either. The fight for democracy in the country is with Gyanendra. But the fight for internal democracy in parties is with Girija. Both are equally important.

Neither can be ignored.

Gagan is not young. His youthfulness is a great asset in a country where over 40% of the people are less than 14 years old.

He should be party president.

He is the one who has hit the world headlines. He is the name on the US Senate floor. It has not been Girija, not someone else.

He has shown guts tempered with thoughtfulness and clarity of message. His style is democratic: he is constantly consulting with his associates and friends. He is for elections, not nominations.

His name and face are not any less recognized than either Girija or Gyanendra.

Gagan Thapa has become a political brand name.

The party will grow like a forest fire. Once it has been launched. It will spread its message globally.

Nothing like a fresh start.

Gagan's commitment should be to democracy, not to an outdated political party, especially when that party is in the way of democracy.

I say, let's do it.

Renaming The Blog In Honor Of Gagan's Release
Email To Charlie Szrom
Email From Charlie Szrom
Gagan Thapa Released
The Movement Has Been Gathering Much Momentum
Chargesheeting Gagan: This Regime Has Gone Berserk
Alliance Gathering At Queens Bridge Park
Senator Leahy To US Congress On Nepal
Gagan Thapa Feels Unsafe In Jail
Gagan Thapa Case Taken To The United Nations
2005 Young Republican National Convention (US) Resolution 1 On Nepal
Gagan Thapa Arrested Again
Loktantra: Pahilo Patak
Major Student Protests
Nepali Congress Slumber Party
Peace First, Then Democracy, Democracy First, Then Social Justice
The Lake Freezes At 32 Degrees Fahrenheit Like Magic
Laying The Grounds For A Weak Movement
The Seven Dwarfs
Girija, Deuba, And The Rest Of Them Clowns
Changing Gears
Gagan Thapa Arrested, Deuba Re-Arrested

Google News: Gagan Thapa
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