What’s wrong with nationalism?

UML Chair KP Oli talks to journalists after meeting Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba this week. Photo: RSS

From the Nepali Press

UML Chair KP Oli in a candid conversation with journalist Kishore Nepal in www.pahilopost.com 3 January. Excerpts:

Kishore Nepal: You have chosen a difficult path, isn’t it?

KP Oli: Yes. But it is necessary because our sovereignty is at risk. Five years after India's independence in 1947, Kashmir became an Indian state. Bangladesh emerged as a new nation in 1971. And Sikkim was annexed into India in 1974.

What about Bhutan?

Bhutan is a member of the United Nations. When Kashmir was annexed into India, it was not a UN member.

But Nepal is a UN member. So why are you so paranoid?

UN membership gives Nepal a degree of legal status. But that does not mean that our sovereignty is completely protected.

What didn’t you raise this with the Indian Prime Minister?

Wanting to annex another country is one thing, but it is quite a different thing to actually do it. But the Tarai is now being turned into a buffer zone. We have already made a mistake by creating Province 2, a Tarai-only state.

Why did the major parties hastily promulgate the constitution?

Hastily? Where were you when we were negotiating for eight long years?

Why are the parties polarised then?

This is a battle for nationalism. Have we ever begged for anything from India? Have we ever done any injustice to India? We have always expressed our commitment to protect India's genuine and justified concerns. But why did India just take note of our constitution?

All of you top leaders stood up to Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar. Why are you divided now?

India made a wrong move at the wrong time. The special envoy's advice was also wrong. I politely explained everything with Jaishankar. I told him Nepal should not feel bullied by India. But whenever I talk of Nepal’s national interest I am accused of being a hollow nationalist, or a disciple of Mahendra. Nationalism is different from ideology. You can be a Congress or Communist, royalist or republican, but you can be a nationalist irrespective of your ideology. Is India our only neighbour? Isn’t China also our neighbour? Why can’t we use Chinese ports.

Why did the Nepali Congress breach the agreement with the UML when you were set to become Prime Minister?

You know why – to stop me from being Prime Minister. Why is the Congress accepting Pushpa Kamal Dahal as Prime Minister now? Because Dahal is handsome? It is a power game, but not everything is about that. It is also about nationalism. I fought against Mahendra's authoritarianism, but I appreciate his nationalist stand to an extent. But when I talk of nationalism, you people make fun of me.

When will the UML stop obstructing the House?

Whenever the second amendment is withdrawn from Parliament.