Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and former prime minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai are the senior-most leaders of the Nepali Congress. Koirala replaced Bhattarai as the PM a few weeks after the hijack of IC 814 in December 1999 through an internal party struggle.

This year, at the height of anti-India demonstrations, Koirala faced unprecedented dissidence within his party. The rebels in the party, with Bhattarai's blessings, moved a no-confidence motion -- but Koirala survived. Yet his future is not secure. And Bhattarai remains a key player in the political drama.

Known for his honesty in public life, the former prime minister spoke to Special Correspondent Josy Joseph in his home on the outskirts of Kathmandu about the crisis in his party and anti-India sentiment in Nepal.

Your party is witnessing increased dissidence against Prime Minister G P Koirala. Should Mr Koirala resign?

Yes. I strongly feel that the time has come for both of us -- senior leaders of the Nepali Congress and the government -- to hand over the party to the younger leaders. He is 77, I am also 77. I think this is not the age to continue working. Because a Nepalese Prime Minister who is honest to his voters and the country and also to the King, has to work at least 16 hours a day.

I don't suppose I can work so much. Neither can Mr Koirala. Now the parliament luckily is not in session, but in a few weeks time it will reopen. And then he will have to devote his time to parliament, the secretariat, the party central office.

How can a man of 77 perform so many duties and -- honestly?

There were anti-India demonstrations when you were the prime minister during the hijack. It happened again this time. What do you think are the reasons behind this sentiment?

The anti-Indian sentiment is the prerogative of the Nepalese common man and the Nepali politicians. You see, when they don't find anything to do they raise the Indian bogey. And that is their past time. It has been so since a very long time. The politicians have done this since the Ranas went away from here. I think it is a passing phenomenon now. The old horse has been whipped too many times. Ultimately, it will be finished.

Do you think injustice has been done to Nepal by the several treaties signed between both countries? Do they all favour India?

Of course they (anti-Indian demonstrators) don't care for the treaties. They think, after all, India will help Nepal. They think it is their right to get help from India -- and they don't have any duty to be friendlier to India compared to other countries. They equate India with China, which is not a fact.

Is there a need for India to act upon this growing anti-India sentiment in Nepal?

You see a lot of things are happening between the two governments. Our delegations are going. We are entering into dialogue every day almost on every issue. I don't think India has to prove it is very friendly to Nepal anymore. It is already there.

ALSO READ:
The Kukri Factor

Design: Dominic Xavier

The Rediff Interviews