If Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has said that he wants to hand over the party leadership to the young generation, it will not come as a surprise because time and again he has made this very statement. But, coming to the present times, some meaning can be fathomed for various reasons. The foremost is the age factor that seems more predominant. It is agreed that Koirala even at the age of 85 is going full steam touring the country in a bid to boost the sagging morale of the party cadres. This has come about at a time when NC is yet to regain the confidence that was evident before the Constituent Assembly elections in April last year. The poll result was a blow that NC, particularly Koirala, could not swallow. Even that unfailing spirit of the man could not save the party from the unexpected poll outcome. This was a setback, and Koirala was the prime minister overseeing the polls. Yet, the fact remains that he went for the polls as per the peace process initiative, agreed upon with the other political forces, including the CPN (Maoist).

The NC loss cannot be the only scale to measure the man’s standing. He has ruled the NC in such a way that no second generation leader could emerge from his shadows. That made the other party members out of contention for the top NC job. Even now, when he himself has expressed the desire to leave the job for the young generation, the catch is that it would take place only after the party organisation is strengthened to the desired extent. This raises a question as to whether the party lacks anyone capable of taking on that responsibility or there are reasons to think otherwise. Whatever it may be, the post-1990 saw the rise of Koirala leading the government many times. Of course, grudges may remain among people as to his achievements, but one thing is certain that he is recognised as a national leader of high stature not only within but abroad as well.

When the question revolves around the next person to lead NC, the obvious choice would be one who has a good following within the party and is able to prove himself/herself as worthy through action that can justify rather than merely being anointed for the party’s top post. Seeing the present nature of the events, no one seems to have had the grooming to capture attention. This could possibly be Koirala’s own fault for not having prepared a second line in the party to take up the responsibility if the need arose. The additional reason could well be inadequate internal democracy within NC. Now, prior to Koirala relinquishing the post, there are no two opinions that the party has to be revamped. But, when? Till then it will be Koirala at the helm. However, the man must be praised for some of the achievements of national significance in the past few years but his party has suffered in the process. It is now high time for the young generation to rise to the occasion giving the party an added vigour for a strong NC. At the moment, it is Koirala’s indomitable spirit and willpower that is pushing him and the party along, but eyes must be on the future when it is inevitable that the young generation has to drive the party. That will be a testing time for the party and its leaders, the thought of which must become prominent in the mind of the stalwart. It is a step that is already overdue.