By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel

Political predictions are a tough matter, and it is more so in a country like ours. The parties and their leaders change their positions very frequently. The leaders are sans integrity and accountability. Their only intention is to cling to power no matter how it comes. This is what is happening to the grand old party, Nepali Congress, at present, with factions and sub-factions taking a high toll.

Just recently, the Nepali Congress concluded its Pokhara orientation program amidst big fanfare. The objective of the event was to unify the party. Likewise, the other purpose of the event was to end the decade-old factionalism and groupism within the party. But the biggest irony was that many senior leaders, including Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Shekhar Koirala, and Shashank Koirala, were not invited, giving the clear message that the party is plagued by internal feuds and bickering.

Over the decades, the Nepali Congress has been struggling to cope with internal bickering and feuds resulting from its myopic and self-centred leaders. The late Prime Minister GP Koirala was a towering figure with a vision to ameliorate the situation of people politically, economically, and socially. Even his political opponents used to praise him for his commitment and dedication to defending and strengthening democracy. But many party insiders criticise Koirala for his arrogance and stubbornness. He devoted much of his leadership to a sort of clean-up operation of his party and bureaucracy, ousting anyone whose loyalty was doubted, especially those close to Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. A case in point was the dismissal of one close Bhattarai ally and senior Congress leader Yog Prasad Upadhaya, from his ambassadorship in Washington. Many insiders and party sympathisers say this marked the beginning of factionalism and groupism within the party.

This groupism and factionalism still continue and thrive in the party. Many senior leaders often expressed dissatisfaction over the way the party is handled. The present party chairperson, Sher Bahadur Deuba, has been accused of handling the party in an oligarchic manner. On the eve of the 14th General Convention, the rival faction led by senior leader Ram Chandra has expressed serious reservations over the appointments in several party departments and the central committee. This severed the relationship between Deuba and Paudel, which is often reported in the media.

After a brief calm, the infighting returns to the Nepali Congress. The latest example of factionalism and groupism is the Pokhara orientation program. The episode has exposed the growing factionalism and groupism within the party to the core. In the event, the leaders who are seen as increasingly close to Dueba were very active throughout the event, while leaders close to Koirala and Sitaula were sidelined.

The party general secretary, Gagan Thapa, and Shekhar Koirala, who were once viewed as good friends, are now at each other’s throats. Many say that the relations between them widened after Gagan Thapa started cosying up to Deuba. However, Thapa has told the media that he and Koirala will be in the same faction until the 15th General Convention. If media reports are any guide, Koirala is not happy with party Chairperson Deuba. He has been a vocal critic of the coalition with CPN-UML.

What is not understandable is the fact that both seem to be in the same faction, yet they are preparing to contest the post of party president in the coming general election, whose date is yet to be fixed. This clearly explains that they prioritise position over party ideology.

Though the Pokhara orientation program was called for unifying the party and ending decades-old factionalism and groupism, many see it as an event to send the message that there are factions and sub-factions within the party. When asked why the Pokhara event was dominated by the camp, the party spokesperson, Prakash Sharan Mahat, offered a somewhat cryptic answer.

Political analysts say that the program looked like a factional event. The Nepali Congress, which has been seen as the torchbearer of democracy, has now turned into a party that has many groups, subgroups, and factions. Selfishness, communalism, individualistic attitudes, and self-centric behaviour are still highly prevalent in the party. In such a situation, not only the party falls prey to such unethical leaders but also the nation. But who cares?

It is an open secret that our politicians—be it Nepali Congress, CPN-UMP, or Maoist—are obsessed with power. It is also crystal clear that our politicians resort to any action to assume power. The lust for power led to the formation of factions and sub-factions. Nepali Congress at present offers the best example of such a party.

Ever since the party came into existence, the factionalism and groupism have always remained a big headache for the Nepali Congress. Be it Koirala’s dynasty versus non-Koirala’s overpower sharing, the Nepali Congress has always hogged the media limelight. The party, which is often considered a torchbearer of democracy, has now become undemocratic as its leaders have failed to rise above their vested interest, breaching the party’s code of conduct.

Factionalism and groupism will not do anything good for Nepali Congress. This is an established truth, and everyone must understand and adhere to it. As things stand now, it is bereft of an agenda that can woo the people. To say it is not driven by the party’s code of conduct, values, and norms. Instead, it is run by ruthless, arrogant, incapable, unaccountable, and self-centred leaders who do not want to hand over the leadership to younger and capable leaders. If this trend continues until the next general election, the people may not vote in their favour, making them a thing of the past.