By Rabi Raj Thapa

There is a popular old proverb “Choirlai Chautari, Sadhulai Suli” that literally means position and perks to the crooks and death penalty to the pious. In Nepal, major political leaders flourish through financial power derived from power brokers who indulge in corruption and crime. The paradox is that some alleged and indicted leaders still retain their political power and bureaucrats still retain their positions and power, whereas, others are sent behind bars waiting for verdicts from unpredictable criminal justice system and procedure. In Nepal, some arrested persons in minor street crimes and vandalism are forced to be handcuffed and wear derogative “thunuwa” (locked-in-custody”) jacketswhile other arrested big-shots get VIP, VVIP treatment even inside the prison and in custody.That is why Nepal is seen as a Strange Country - an Ajib Nepal.

International prominent writer and political personality Niall Ferguson opines new US President Donald Trump lacks mental stability which can be a threat to the US and the world's political orders in the coming years. In this regard, old age and poor physical condition like that of US President Joe Biden also played a critical role in US politics. If Donald Trump has mental instability, can we say that Nepali leaders K. P. Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal also can labeled in that category? On the other hand, there should be no difference between Joe Biden and former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba and even Jhal Nath Khanal.   

Actually, these leaders along with many other high-profile leaders and even the highest government officials have multifarious public facades like two faces of a coin –- on one they have a reputable social economic status with a very promising political career; and, on the other side, they have a latent corrupt and criminal personality and record that is blurred.

Truly speaking, indicted perpetrator Deepak Manage and so-called victim Chakre Milan both were once fearsome underworld dons fighting illegal turf wars for protection money and power. There were many like Deepak Manage; for example, Dinesh Adhikari aka Chari, Kumar Shrestha aka Ghaite, Ganesh Lama and current provincial Sports Minister of Bagmati Province Min Krishan Shrestha and still many others. They all have affiliations to various political parties who live and flourish under their political patronage. Crimes committed by all these goons are violent like physical intimidation, and assault amounting to physical harm. In this regard, UML-affiliated Dinesh Adhikari aka Chari and Nepali Congress-affiliated Kumar Shrestha aka “Ghaite” were neutralized in police encounters. Had they survived to date, they would also have become a successful politician and minister by now. The case with the Kishi Province Minister Lila Ballav Adhikari is that of greed, forgery, corruption, conspiracy and abuse of state position and authority. There is one thing in common among the six-time provincial minister of Deepak Manage, two times Deputy Prime Minister Home Minister Ravi Lamichane, and a lawyer minister Lila Bhallav Adhikari; that is, they all have successful political careers and are still holding the portfolio of the members of the parliament.

Initially, Ravi Lamichane came to the limelight as a successful media who successfully turned into a charismatic political leader and quickly rose to power through his populist political demeanor. In Nepal, there are Balen Shah, Gyanendra Shahi and C K Rout who have similar traits to that of Ravi Lamichane.  

Now they have become threats to the conventional old political stalwarts who rose from political manipulation, political horse-trading and latent unethical corrupt practices who believe to have “joined politics not to become a saint” (Jogi Bannako lagi Rajnoti Gareko Hoina). These leaders are accustomed and excelled to “sell Dog’s meat displaying Goat’s head. (Khashi ko Tauko Dekhayera Kukur ko Masu Bechne).

Then why do Nepali people grumble when they themselves vote for such violent, chameleon and greedy characters time and again? All the blame goes to the Nepali people themselves; who, knowing all these repeatedly vote for the same scoundrels and empower them time and again to become the masters of the destiny of all Nepali People.