Today a war has begun within the Nepali Congress. We are creating a stand for impartial, law-abiding, honest and active members. The party, which has been fighting for democracy for decades, today has members fighting against their leaders. Everyone understands what has brought the party to its present situation. Everyone is closely observing the party's internal activities. The party has contributed tremendously to human rights, democracy and people's liberty. But why is it that the party which played a major role in bringing to an end the 104 years of Rana rule and the 30 cruel years of the Panchayat rule is going ashtray? Why is it that we who fought for people's liberty and democracy are today searching for democracy within ourselves? Today we are the ones searching for independence in the party. This is certainly worth thinking about seriously. We fought for democracy for so long but we don't have it within the party! There is a sham going on. A certain section is not only trying to get its hands on active members but the party itself. The Nepali Congress does not belong to any one particular person, a particular caste, a group, or a family. The party belongs to the millions who believe in the party. The workers of this party have established Bisheswor Prasad Koirala as their champion and whoever from the party has become a member of parliament or a minister has taken the name of the great BP. But now we ourselves are searching for BP's ideals.

The struggle within the party is whether to have some family or group patronise it or make it a party of all Nepalis. As BP said, Nepal, from Jhapa to western Kailali- Kanchanpur, Taplejung to Dadeldhura, is a garden of four castes and thirty-six sub-castes, and he tried to make the Nepal Congress the Nepali people's party. But sadly today we have to ask ourselves whether the Nepali Congress which fought against the Rana family regime is turning into a one-family party. This has raised serious concerns amongst party workers. There is nothing but a naked dance of disgraceful scandals and scams in the party that fought for human rights, liberty and democracy. Workers from eastern Mechi to western Mahakali are raising one voice against these shameful goings-on.

There was a great conspiracy to capture party power at the 10th Convention. It took place in every village, municipality, and district. And despite these odds our friends have been elected and are getting geared up to fight and bring back our lost ideals. Today our struggle to show the right path for the party and to wipe out this family rule is on and it is being led by the honourable Sher Bahadur Deuba. Sher Bahdur Deuba should be party president and not our father figure the most honourable leader Girija Prasad Koirala.

(Bijaya Kumar Gachhedar speaking to the press at Sher Bahadur Deuba's office)