Who can stop a former president from returning to politics? — Dr. Shekhar Koirala

Biratnagar – Nepali Congress senior leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has said that the government formed through the alliance between the UML and Nepali Congress has not functioned as expected.

Speaking with journalists at Biratnagar Airport on Wednesday, Leader Koirala emphasized that the government was supposed to run until the year 2084 BS, but he complained that it has failed to operate effectively.

Questions about government conduct and morality: Dr. Koirala accused the government of failing to control corruption and maintain good governance. He stressed that those involved in politics must be ethical, saying,

“Those who are active in politics must be moral. Without morality, politics collapses on the ground.”

Regarding the issue of the “cooling‑off period,” he held the government responsible. He pointed out that the main factors behind the problem were the top leaders and staff of political parties. He said,

“What’s left now after five UML Members of Parliament in the National Assembly amended the law citing instructions from above that those persons should be removed? This too raises grounds for suspicion.”

Dr. Koirala noted that the country’s constitution permits former presidents and vice presidents to return to political life. However, he personally suggested it might be better if they did not return. Still, he stated that if they choose to come back, no one can stop them.

Referring to leaders of political parties meeting each other, he said this is not unusual, but rather a natural process in politics. He recalled that when Congress and the Maoists were in government, he himself met Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and at that time nothing controversial happened. He emphasized that leaders should continue dialogue over time.

Speaking about party Chair Sher Bahadur Deuba, he said Deuba is not only a senior leader of the Congress party but one of the senior-most leaders in Nepal.

Regarding concerns that an attempt is underway to replace the parliamentary party leader, Koirala said that such a move would require sufficient numbers (votes) and it is not easy.

“He understands that. There’s no need to worry,” he added.

On the topic of alternatives to the government, he said that government formation in this case depends on parliamentary arithmetic—not possible without reaching the required 137 seats.