Though a prominent leader from the Madhes, Amresh Kumar Singh didn't get a ticket from Nepali Congress in the Nov 20 parliamentary polls. He then contested the election as an independent candidate and defeated a Congress candidate! Pratik Ghimire of ApEx talked to Singh regarding the present political situation.
Where do you see the future of the ruling coalition?
I think it will go far. During our meetings, I have felt that both KP Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal have realized their past mistakes and are ready to work together to ensure longevity of the ruling alliance.
Have you thought about returning to the Nepali Congress?
No. My people have given me the mandate to serve them as an independent representative. I won’t go against their will.
Where do you see the future of the Congress party?
Unless the Congress realizes its mistake and starts working for the people, they don't have a future. Commercialization has hit the party hard. The party should put an end to corruption within its fold. They are still trying to get votes by selling the name of BP Koirala, but this won’t work, I tell you. The present generation has not seen BP and they won’t be convinced. The party should work for this generation, especially for the lay individual; it won’t survive otherwise. Have you seen the party leadership visiting districts, rural areas? The party can't go places by ruling from Kathmandu. They should rather go to the masses and win the trust of the youth. The Congress needs a revolution.
Are our neighboring countries happy with the present government?
We should not think that way. For me, no foreign policy is right or wrong; it should just stick to national interest. I don't think India and China have this traditional approach to foreign policy. These days, they don't directly interfere in the internal politics of Nepal. Rather, they raise issues during bilateral dialogues. The work of the day of the government depends on how the neighboring nations deal with it.
Our geopolitical situation doesn't allow us to tilt toward any neighbor. Our foreign policy should promote economic interests like trade balance and a suitable climate for foreign investors. Politics has become a major factor hindering development and investment. How will the government act to tackle these issues? Much depends on that.
Where do you see Madhes politics now?
Madhes has a political vacuum and this is the reality. New parties have emerged, but there will be no progress in Madhes if the new ones follow the path of the old ones. Unless there is a change in political characters and political tendencies, I don’t think much will change. Political leaders have often used Madhes-based agendas to climb the political ladder but they never worked for the welfare of the people.
Madhes has many problems like unemployment, low literacy, weak economy and all but no party has ever bothered to address these problems. Madhes has an agriculture-based economy but it does not have new technology and equipment to cash in on this economy. Madhes needs a social reformer more than a political reformer.
