Apropos the news story “CIEDP’s interim report within two weeks” (THT, March 17, Page 1), this comes close on the heels of the damning US report on Nepal’s failure to punish rights violators “Nepal govt failed to hold rights violators accountable: US report” (THT, March 16, Page 5). While Nepalis can pat themselves on the back for successfully concluding peace and reconciliation in a unique way not seen hitherto in the world, the issue of rights violations is not going to go anywhere until the violators are held accountable according to the international standard and the Supreme Court verdict. The US report is proof that we can talk as much as we like locally but will not enjoy international credence until the international obligations have been fulfilled. Unfortunately, we are not in the era of the French Revolution when we could have gotten away with murder. Our every step is under the close watch and scrutiny of the US, UN as well as other countries that adhere strongly to human rights.

No wonder, even cases like Nishan Khadka, Nirmala Panta and Ram Manohar Yadav have found their way into the US report.

In order to enjoy international trust and confidence, Nepal has no choice but to follow and adopt international practice and guidelines word by word, letter by letter.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Dynastic party

The political entry of Priyanka Gandhi has been inspiring with tremendous fan following, commendable party support from the lowest level of party workers and winning the respect of leaders of various ranks within the Congress National party. The Indian National Congress party is a purely dynastic party, within which only the will of the Nehru-Gandhi family members work, and truly without this family, the party is almost non-existent.

Rahul Gandhi must be appreciated for his political maturity and courage in bringing Priyanka Gandhi within the party cohort successfully and that too before the national election.

Indeed this is a master stroke! However, the rising popularity of Priyanka and her broader acceptance among the voters and citizens of the country over Rahul Gandhi may be a fact of concern for both siblings in the forthcoming power struggle. As the saying goes, two tigers cannot roam the same forest; two heavyweight contenders for the top administrative job of India, the coveted seat of the Prime Minister, may make the loud expression of happiness on the face of Rahul Gandhi change to anxiety and insecurity. I anticipate that Mrs Gandhi will have much more mass appeal compared to Mr Gandhi, and when the opportunity for the change of guard does happen in the power corridors of India, we may, unfortunately, see another Manmohan Singh-Sonia Gandhi incident coming back to haunt Indian democracy. The trump card of bringing forth Priyanka could prove to be a Waterloo for Rahul Gandhi in the not so distant future! The ensuing power struggle could make or break the Congress party in the long run.

Saikat Kumar Basu, Canada