By Dinesh Wagle
Wagle’s Web Log
Surya Bahadur Thapa has appeared in TV today in a very suspicious manner to defend the king. Former Prime Minister Thapa, who formed his Rastriya Janashakti Party after the royal takeover of Feb 2005, today told Kantipur TV’s Fire Side program (hosted by Bhusan Dahal) that the Interim Parliament has no right to take any action against the monarchy. “This parliament is not sovereign,” Thapa, a lifelong royalist who was instrumental in repressing democratic movement in the dark autocratic days of pre-1990 Panchayat system, said. “Only the Constituent Assembly can decide on big national issues. We shouldn’t give importance to who says what. The king can’t have any impact.” Thapa, who was nominated the Prime Minister by Gyanendra after the king with autocratic ambition, dismissed a democratically elected Prime Minster in 2002, also categorically said: “The time hasn’t come for republic.”
Thapa said: “When you talk about taking action [against king], you are taking about an individual. A person has given [the statement], how can you strike against the other [monarchy]?” Thapa said, “Let’s wait for a few days and see how the government acts [on the parliaments directive to take action against king].
Meanwhile the government today formally condemned the king for giving out the Democracy day statement without its approval or knowledge. “This is unconstitutional, undemocratic, unauthorized, condemnable and contentious,” government spokesperson and information minister Dilendra Prasad Badu told reporters. “The cabinet has decided to take appropriate action against king based on political understanding [with ruling parties.]
These views from government and Thapa come at a time when rumors are doing rounds in Kathmandu that yet another coup, from military, is being mulled in foreign land. Even Prachanda mentioned about such rumors the other day. This must be noted that Surya Bahadur Thapa visited India for about three weeks recently. He came back to Nepal two weeks ago. We have no information what Thapa was doing in India and whom he met. There are many such forces who will not hesitate to exploit and sabotage the current fluid situation in Nepal? Is there any coincidence between Thapa coming to the press and the dubious Upendra Yadav of Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF or MPRF) re-starting the agitation in Terai for no reason? Will any sensible person believe that MJF is restarting the agitation that clearly threatens the social and communal harmony in Nepal just because they didn’t get Home Minister’s resignation? In addition to this, there is no surety that Yadav will not launch another round of agitation after the Home Minister resigns. He might come with another excuse as he as done in the recent past. That is because he is not deciding for himself; he is working for someone else who wants to create havoc in Nepal.
Thapa was asked if he was leading an alliance of pro-king groups. He didn’t categorically deny but said: “Kathmandu is a country that is engulfed by gossips and rumors etc.” He said a broad democratic alliance was necessary to save the sarbamanya prajantra (democracy of wide acceptance) and [to act] against the dictator.” He didn’t elaborate about sarbamanya democracy but it could be easily understood that he was dismissing the democratic republic (or loktantrik ganatantra) and using the “sarbamanya prajantra” term instead.
“Who is that dictator?” Thapa was asked.
“That will show up itself in a few days,” Thapa said.
“Who do you think monarchy is closer to: democratic forces or dictatorship?” Thapa was asked.
“You can’t see him closer to either force if you see the statement,” Thapa said. “Monarchy is not the topic for debate. [This whole debate on monarchy] is just a diversion from the main issue.”
In the interview with KTV Surya Bahadur Thapa cleverly avoided answering the question on the possibility of CA election by mid-July though he repeatedly stressed on the argument that only CA can do whatever is needed to be done. “Do you think CA election could be held by Jestha?” Bhusan asked. Thapa replied: “No one can end this uncertainty. Only CA can. The sooner the CA comes, the uncertainty will go. But whatever activities are happening….sovereign people are now hostage of Maoists.”
United We Blog 
Comments
63 responses to “Surya Bahadur Thapa Interview: Hidden Messages?”
It’s a pretty depressing scenario right now in Nepal. Strikes and protests by all sorts of groups asking for a say in the new Nepal…creating mayhem, hammering the economy and giving endless misery to the ordinary people. What does the SPA govt. do? Nothing. They are like a disinterested bystander acting as if this is none of their problem/business. That is so wrong.
It’s obvious that the interim constitution is just that… an interim constitution. The members of the elected constituent assembly are to write the new constitution…a constitution that may or may not get rid of the monarchy, may or may not address the issues raised by the agitating madeshis and janjatis and the policies of the Maoists: in general the interests of the whole of the Nepali people. Inorder the that the people framing the new constitution properly represent these demographies and interests all the government has to do is to ensure that the election mechanism is properly formulated so that it is free and fair and properly representive-geographically and demographically. The fact that the govt. has failed in this simple exercise demonstrates the vastness of the problems that this country is yet to encounter.
Ethnic Assertion, Constituent Assembly Elections and Maoists on the Defensive
(Courtesty: Siddhartha Thapa)
Even as the Terai starts to breathe again, various ethnic groups across the country have renewed their calls for further protests. The latest turmoil in the Terai is a direct consequence of the murky politics envisioned by the Maoists; the same ideologies that provided the base for the Maoist revolution – inciting of minority groups on the thesis of “self determination.”
UWB: The complete comment has been posted as seperate entry here.
this is a syndicate culture…….no one is indifferent…..the king was corrupt, the parties r just the same and the maoist r worse…it is just that when the king was in power fewer ppl got the share of the pie…..
In order to avoid more mess it seems best to go at reasobable pace.
Supremacy of the Great Nepalese People RULZ !!
We will decide the fate of Gyane and Prachande at one shot and forever. I basically endorse SBT’s two statements:
i) “let the CA decide”
My point here is – let us decide it through BALLOT not this “Tikke Sansaads” .The 205 Member Parliament was the strength of the people. The present one, 330 Member Parliament is another form of “Bhardaar Sabhaas” nominated by 8 Samantiz (SPAM) instead of One (king).
ii) “We are still captives of Maoists autocracy.”
Me point in this context – Even in ktm everyday they are beating ppl…how can we expect free n fair election if they do not change their behavior. Just looking at today’s case, a driver was badly bitten by Maoist and whole of ktm ws traffic jammed for hrs. The Micro buses have to compulsorily donate Rs. 48,000 for puclhowk route only every month just imagine rest of the routes and other industries.
Election is VERY IMPORTANT ‘coz this is the only means to VALIDATE the strengths of ppl. If declared a Republic as of now then Maoist Agendas Prevail who also have never been tested through ballots. It is very important to validate it Internationally through widely acceptable & true democratic means i.e. not other than FREE & FAIR elections. We are matured enuff to cast our vote for right system(if given a conducive environment) so we are not scared even if royalists given a chance to go to any part of the country.
My Conclusion:
We should have a ‘package deal’….G n P should be dealt in same package. Both are extremist.
Democracy RULZ !!!
Not only Gyanendra and Prachanda but Girija and Sitaula also for Madhesi suppression.
You idiot Satya Tathya,
The Ca elections not going to happen. Noone wants it anymore except for the people. A lot of Nepali citizens are going to die again
I come to this blog for a good laugh everyday. People who write on this blog and those who make the discussions are so stupid that it always cracks me up.
optimist-yeah and you’re too stupid and gutless to express your own opinions.
Prachanda publicly attacked SBT in Nepalgunj public speech( 3 times) immediately after SBT’s interview. Is it because SBT is Anti Democratic and Prachanda more Democratic who wants to establish true Democracy ??? or SBT happened to be the first senior leader to speak out against Maoist?? In current politics, I guess SBT knows better than Prachanda that he cannot be a palace mascot specially when it comes to King G.
History says Prachanda can’t tolerate even a single word against him. Remember, Chiluwal (then Chairman of Maoist Victim Association) was killed within 24 hours when he burnt P’s picture. This is the Maoist strategy to eliminate their rivals before it gains momentum. One of the many main reasons- “Politics of Revenge” is also the cause for instability. During King’s rule parties are the targeted badly, when it comes to Parties it attacks all former rulers and when Maoist gets a chance – all anti maoists are attacked. But the facts remain unchanged. Individual can be eleminated from politics physically but ideology can’t whether it may be Rightists, Centrist or Leftist. Its just how much vote they command. Extremes like royals and maos represents least people. Extremism is not – sustainable.
Democracy RULZ !!!
Surya Bahadur Thapa is only sane politician in Nepal who is standing up to these terrorist Maoists and criminal SPA
MY GRATEFUL THANKS to SURYA BAHADUR THAPA
JAY NEPAL!!!
Surya Bahadur Thapa is the most corrupt politician of Nepal. He is for democracy as long as he gets the premiership and the king stays in the palace.