KATHMANDU: Dr. Bhim Rawal, who broke ties with the CPN-UML, set out on a two-day tour of Morang-Sunsari with the ‘Matribhumi Jagran Abhiyan.’
Meanwhile, the issue gained attention in Kathmandu due to a meeting between the royalists and Rawal. Rawal, who was welcomed by Durga Prasai’s supporters in Biratnagar, met with the ‘royalists’ in Itahari.
Is former UML leader Rawal planning to include the royalists in his campaign?
When asked this question, Rawal referred to the fact that UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli had sought votes for Rajendra Lingden in Jhapa.
Rawal further said, “When we were agitating for the republic, didn’t KP Oli secretly talk to Tulsi Giri?”
Rawal argues that no matter which party supports his patriotic movement, it cannot be dismissed otherwise.
In this context, let’s read the edited excerpt of the conversation between Khabarub and Rawal:
How do you feel now after leaving the UML?
In the UML, I did important work in various roles to expand and protect the party over five decades.
On the contrary, I was expelled from membership in an autocratic manner. What I felt was that under the leadership of CPN-UML, the essence of Marxism-Leninism and people’s multi-party democracy faded.
I felt it had completely shifted to a leftist ideology. This saddened me.
The UML has called the accusations you made a copy-paste of the Maoist chairman’s statements, right?
This is a ridiculous argument. When there was a situation where Prachanda and KP Sharma Oli were accusing each other, I have witnessed dozens of incidents since then.
What could be more ridiculous than saying that what was said earlier was a copy-paste? I have presented irrefutable facts, and they are in no position to answer them.
What does it mean to declare the formation of a patriotic alternative political force?
It means that the Constitution of Nepal places the country’s national interests above all else.
The Communist Party adopted the policies of making independent and free decisions since 2006 BS, protecting the borders, safeguarding the national economy and culture, and working for the rights and interests of the people.
It means we should do the same as other countries—protect their sovereign power and work for the country’s interests.
You have come to the East in connection with the ‘Motherland Awareness Campaign.’ During your two-day stay in Morang and Sunsari, you also met with royalists. How do you understand this? Are you trying to create an alternative political force by including royalists? Do your views align with those who advocate for a monarchy instead of a republic?
What views are you asking about? There are many opinions. What I agree with is strengthening the sovereign power of this country, punishing the corrupt, improving the economic situation of the people, and safeguarding the interests and rights of the people.
Shouldn’t we accept this, no matter who does these things?
Yesterday, in 2051/2052 BS, didn’t Manmohan Adhikari take the oath in front of the then King Birendra? Didn’t KP Oli take the oath when he was the Home Minister? And didn’t KP Oli secretly talk to Tulsi Giri when we were carrying out the republic movement? Did we do that?
Therefore, when the Campaign is vigorously carried forward, the propaganda done out of fear that patriots from all parties will join here makes no sense.
You also work with the leaders of the Unified Socialist Party and meet with royalists. What kind of campaign is this? What message are you trying to convey?
No, I told you before, look at all the parties, from Nepali Congress to CPN-UML. I have personally pointed out that they also associated with monarchists.
Now, it is not about who was a monarchist yesterday or who was a socialist.
When someone says they are a patriot and they are close to your campaign, why should I not associate with patriotic people?
Some people haven’t come forward to say they don’t agree with your views, but rather that they should accept my views.
The flag of patriotism that you have raised, which has a background in the past, is good. And if we support it, it is the Nepali people who will be impressed by it, right?
On Saturday, in a meeting with monarchist sympathizers in Itahari, you said there was no agenda of republicanism or secularism in the 2062/2063 BS movement. So, who inserted this agenda?
Yes, it wasn’t part of the original agenda. I am an agitator. At that time, the idea was to remove the type of rule that was imposed and restore the normal system of governance.
However, later, the movement gained momentum, and these things were added later. Everyone knows this.
The issue of federalism was like this. It is clear that Girija Prasad Koirala had made an agreement with the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum at that time.
The person who was the Prime Minister, who was the head of the party, had the authority to make the decision.
Who else would have inserted the agenda of republicanism and secularism? They inserted it. No one else had any authority.
While the 062/063 movement was ongoing, the Maoists had the agenda of republicanism and secularism. However, those in the peaceful movement, including the CPN-UML, did not have this on their agenda.
You are traveling across the country in connection with the campaign. Are you planning to launch a new party before the 2084 elections?
I have not launched the Mechi-Mahakali campaign yet. This campaign also makes sense at first glance.
It is not about starting from Mechi and moving forward. Wherever people need to be organized, wherever friends prepare, meetings should be held there.
Wherever people need to be immediately involved in the campaign, I will go there.
Second thing – regarding the upcoming elections, if the politics of this country remain in their current state, I think a strong alternative should be presented, from the local elections to the general elections.
I believe we should provide a strong alternative to the political party leaders who are doing wrong things against the spirit of the constitution.
If we vote for one, we will automatically vote for the other. I believe we need to give a strong alternative to the leaders of the political parties who are acting against the constitution’s spirit, both in the local and general elections.
If patriotic people from all over the country support us and build a strong force, it will give the country an alternative, and we can also go to the elections.
Who is the royalist party? I don’t even know. I came here (Biratnagar), and after I arrived, some are friends of the Nepal Communist Party Unified Socialist Party, and they have been with me since yesterday. Some are friends of the CPN-UML.
UML leaders and cadres have come to say that the party has oppressed you. They are my cadres, and they were with me yesterday.
Now there are some intellectuals here, people who want the country to be better.
Some are those who say that this should not happen anymore by joining the Durga Prasai campaign. I have also seen them.
There are some who call it a citizen protection campaign; I have seen them too. Now, any patriot, people from various groups and parties who say your patriotic campaign is good, shows that anyone can walk with me by thinking broadly in the best interest of the country.
So, are you trying to create an alternative political force by linking with the royalist side?
Is it a royalist force? The Socialists, the CPN-UML, and the people who supported the effort yesterday – are all royalists?
Therefore, I do not think it is possible to interpret it that way. No matter which party it is, if they are patriots and move forward to solve the problems of this nation, then why can’t patriots come together?
Should those who share posts and loot this country all the time, kneel before foreigners, and destroy the existence of this country? How can this happen?
In the past, Durga Prasai himself started the campaign by making former King Gyanendra Shah the chief guest at a program in Jhapa. People associated with Prasai’s campaign are in close contact with you, aren’t they?
Very close contact? Let me tell you one thing: why did KP Oli become Prime Minister in collaboration with the Nepali Congress?
Why did he work with Mahanta Thakur? Why did he support Rajendra Lingden in Jhapa No. 3 yesterday?
Why did he make Rajendra Lingden vote in the polls without giving a ticket to such a strong candidate, Dambar Giri (UML)? And is there any point in accusing me?
Maybe some people are associated with Durga Prasai’s campaign. Some may have brought royalists there. But after seeing the patriotic leadership, those people can join the leadership. Can’t they?
Now, as for the powers that be, who were the members of the House of Representatives that KP Sharma Oli formed yesterday?
Just look at the people who were made public yesterday. Look at number one, for example, Eknath Dhakal.
And when I say that we should move forward in a patriotic manner, I see no justification for making such an argument when I say that everyone should now actually engage in patriotism.
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