Deuba Promises to Follow BP’s Ideology”

“Deuba Promises to Follow BP’s Ideology” Govinda Raj Joshi

Former Joint General Secretary GOVINDA RAJ JOSHI, who is now with KB Gurung-led three member team, including Binaya Dhoj Chand, is also blaming the present leadership for betraying the party ideology. On the eve of the 13th general convention, Joshi spoke to New Spotlight on various issues.

Issue Name : Vol 09.No 16, March 4,(Falgun 21, 2072)

Govinda Raj Joshi

Are you eying for any party position?

We are not eying for any party position now. We are not for any power or position or bargaining in the convention. We want to see to it that the new president of the party will follow B.P. Koirala’s ideology.

If you are not contesting for any official position, then why do you need a group?

We don’t see any difference between officials and members. We can pursue our views even if we are elected as members. Although our team is led by the oldest member of Nepali Congress and former general secretary KB Gurnug, we all will contest for seats as members.

At a time when all groups are coming up with their panels, how do you see the possibility of winning seats?

We have a large number of well-wishers and they will vote for us and for our ideological stand. In the last elections, KB Gurung was elected and I trailed behind by just three votes. We will secure a good number of votes now.

Has any candidate approached you?

Sher Bahadur Deuba, Sujata Koirala and Krishna Prasad Sitaula have already approached us for our support. We held a few rounds of talks with Deuba. However, nothing has been finalized yet.

Has Ram Chandra Paudel approached you?

He has yet to come to us.

Who will you prefer then?

We will support those who accept our demand and stand and accommodate us in their list.

What are your agenda?

I have already told you that our agenda is to bring Nepali Congress to its ideological track for the ideology propounded by B.P. Koirala. Nepali Congress should strictly follow national reconciliation and nationalism, democracy and socialism.

At a time when a large number of newcomers are elected in the convention, how do you see the possibility of amendment of the party constitution?

The party must amend its charter as it is against the wishes of the people. We have to follow BP’s national reconciliation as per its original spirit.

Late Girija Prasad Koirala and Sushil Koirala also said they followed BP, how do you make the different now?

Nobody has the right to misinterpret BP Koirala’s stand. His stand is there and I don’t need to clarify it.

What about Dr. Shashanka Koirala’s stand on BP?

We believe that we are the only three who have been carrying on with the legacy of late BP Koirala. Dr. Koirala is right that BP’s ideology needs to be followed but being a family member alone is not enough to represent the leader’s legacy.

What is your stand about the religion?

Nepal does not have any alternative other than to make Nepal as a Hindu state as it is attached to our national independence and integrity. Our party must amend its statue, replacing the secular tag with Hindu. An overwhelming number of Nepali Congress members have been supporting Nepal as a Hindu state.