Consider this scenario: I am appointed the manager of a building. But, due to my ineptness, I destroy the building completely. Now, I stake my claim to be the manger of the project to build the same building again. In such a scenario, should I be allowed to lead the new building project or shunned away as an inept fool?
Girija Prasad Koirala is no different. No matter what anyone says, he was the undisputed leader of the 1990 movement, rightfully elected to lead the nation away from active monarchy into a vibrant democracy. 18 years later, we are still trying—not to strengthen—but to build democracy in Nepal.
Forget that his coterie, including his moronic daughter, lost the CA elections miserably. Forget that he too would have most likely lost had he contested the CA elections. What Girija Prasad Koirala has done to undermine Nepal and its people goes far beyond any other betrayal that any other Nepali has ever committed.
It was Girija who started the widespread distrust in government by first proclaiming that the Tanakpur understanding with India was not a treaty and later sticking to power despite the Supreme Court ruling that the "understanding" was indeed a treaty. It was Girija that called for early elections despite the Nepali Congress holding a comfortable majority in the first elected parliament in the post-1990 Nepal. It was Girija that alienated and back-stabbed NC stalwarts like Ganeshman Singh and KP Bhattarai. It was Girija that is widely believed to have had a hand in defeating Daman Nath Dhungana, Haribol Bhattarai and other NC loyalists.
Not only that, it was Girija that was at the helm during the dramatic collapse of Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, having committed treasonous acts like Dhamija deal, Lauda deal etc.
Had Girija led with integrity and insight, Nepal would be a much better place now. Time and again, Girija has worked very hard to prove that he is the worst leader Nepal has ever seen. His lust for power is well known as is his heavy-handedness and utter lack of vision and leadership qualities. More recently, he clearly said that he would drop out of politics after the conclusion of the CA elections. But, despite the miserable loss of the Nepali Congress, he is still sticking to power by hook or by crook.
So what is the point? The point is that Girija Prasad Koirala should not be Nepal's first president at any cost. If he deserved to be the first president, we would not be in the mess we are in today. No Nepali with any sense of pride and nationalistic inclination should support Girija's candidature for president.
But it's never about what the Nepali people want. The big question is what does our ever-so-friendly neighbor want? And if they have it their way, Girija will be the first president of Nepal. How nice. This is what democracy is all about!
