”It is a great crime to assassinate someone's character just because they know how to use social media.”
What you should know
Kulman Ghising, who became the chairman of the Ujjaya Nepal Party after its unity with the National Independent Party (NISP) collapsed on the 12th day, is currently in an uncomfortable political juncture. The party now exists, but there are no proportional candidates, as the list of proportional candidates submitted by the Ujjaya Nepal Party after the unity was withdrawn.
How will his political journey progress in such a situation? Why did the collaboration break down in 12 days? Ghising has spoken openly about these issues in Kantipur's podcast series 'Beyond the Headlines' . The presented material is based on the same dialogue.
How was the agreement broken?
Deputy Chairman DP Aryal informed about the break down of the agreement. After that, I called Ravi Lamichhane 10 times, but he hung up. I called Balendra Shah twice, but he also did not pick up. I called Kumar Ben once. After that, the news came in various media outlets. Only then did I know that the agreement had broken down.
How was the basis for the agreement to break down in 12 days?
I was accused of bargaining for a position. While the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was their party, the bell was their election symbol, Ravi was the chairman, and Balendra Shah was declared the prime minister. What did I bargain for?
I am also worthy of being the prime minister, I am worthy of being the chairman. I did not demand that we be named ‘Ujyalo Nepal Party’, it was agreed upon. I agreed that the old parties should be replaced and that the people’s desire for a new one should not be allowed to die. But in the end, they kicked me out. The betrayal that was committed against us is a political crime.
What happened after the agreement was broken?
On the day the agreement was broken, I called Raviji at 11-12 am and said – If this adjustment is inconvenient for you, then keep me as an ordinary member. It is okay if I do not keep me in the central committee, make me a senior leader like Balendraji. I said that I don't want the vice president either, you can choose someone else on my behalf. That proposal was also rejected. Instead, I was accused.
Are there any accusations against you?
When there was an agreement on the RSVP and the election symbol, everything belonged to them. What did we seek? But instead, we were accused. It is a big crime to assassinate someone's character just because they know how to use social media. I am not a person who was established by campaigning, I am a person who came by delivering. Misinformation was spread about a person who has lived and worked in the country for 30-35 years. Things that were not true were propagated, such as saying that I do not believe in anything except communism and socialism.
Did you come to the conclusion that there was a betrayal?
It was very unfair. Initially, there was an agreement to give 30 percent of light to Nepal through proportional representation. Later, there were 18 people, out of which only one was likely to be elected.
I made the agreement so that the people's desire to form a single force should not be killed. I did not claim to be the Prime Minister. Balen was already put forward as the Prime Minister, Raviji was the chairman.
About the accusation of being active in politics without resigning?
The matter of joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was only an agreement, it was not implemented. I had already said - I will resign soon. I was preparing to resign in a day or two after finalizing some ministerial matters. I had neither taken the membership of Ujjaya Nepal nor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. I was not legally affiliated with anything.
Do you regret the decision to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh?
You should have opened a political party in the beginning. That's why I initially said I wouldn't join the government. That was the right decision. If the party had been formed at that time, the Ujjaya Nepal Party would have gone much further, would have taken a big shape, and probably become the number one party. That broke after I joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
