JSP Nepal Leader Dr. Surendra Jha Discusses Elections, Alliances, and Leadership in 'Warpar' Interview

Kathmandu. Dr. Surendra Jha, known for his intellectual image, is currently a leader in the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal (JSP Nepal). Before the merger between JSP Nepal and the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP Nepal), he was the General Secretary of LSP Nepal.

Dr. Jha, close to Mahantha Thakur, has remained around power for a long time but has not yet taken a position of benefit. Ratapaili interviewed the studious and soft-spoken Dr. Jha regarding the Madhes, which is currently the hot center of the elections, the state of JSP Nepal, and other issues in its 'Warpar' segment. The following is the edited excerpt of the interview (the full video can be viewed):

Is there still a need for discussion and debate on whether elections will happen or not?

There shouldn't be. If we are deprived of elections under any pretext, Nepal will be declared a failed state. Therefore, I request friends, general citizens, and the government that elections must be held on Falgun 21. We have already entered an election atmosphere. All parties are among the people, and candidates are among the people. A small thread of hope remains in the election. Therefore, let's preserve it and participate in the election. The Honorable Prime Minister should not make ambiguous statements.

Why couldn't an electoral alliance be formed between your JSP Nepal and the Federal Democratic Morcha?

We did form an alliance. Five parties merged to announce the JSP Nepal party. We also formed a loose alliance among eight parties. However, an alliance could not be formed between CK Raut Ji's Janmat Party and Rajendra Mahato Ji's Rastriya Mukti Kranti due to technical reasons.

What kind of technical issue caused the hold-up?

Mahato Ji, Ashok Rai Ji, Resham Ji, and others had already decided to contest the election under the 'Janto' symbol and had gone to the Election Commission. Despite our wishes, it was not technically possible.

Does the issue of leadership transfer and generational change ever arise in JSP Nepal?

In the parties where we worked, we tried to bring novelty to the agenda, but we couldn't succeed. We tried to bring transformation in leadership, but we couldn't. When we couldn't do that, we left the party and opened a new one. What Janji is doing today, or what their aspirations were, we fulfilled those aspirations 20 years ago. We left our party, the old party where we invested all our youthful energy and capability, and started a new course, a new party, a new thing.

Even when the party has 52 seats in the election, the same chairman remains. Even when the party collapses, the same one remains. Even if they fail to get public approval sometimes, the same chairman remains. Shouldn't such a person step down?

We must look at that person's utility, the boundary of that person's discipline, that person's vision, that person's activeness, and whether that person has the capacity to return approved by the citizens when they go to the public again. For instance, sometimes we must also see that a very young person goes to the citizens, and the citizens do not approve. A very elderly person goes among the citizens, and the citizens trust them. If there is a person of youthful age, but they are not worthy, their lifestyle is objectionable, they are thoughtless, and chaotic, where will you take them? If you give them leadership just because of their age, sometimes questions arise. Look at the situation today regarding the country led by Zelensky, whom they sought, and where that country has reached.

Nepotism also seems prevalent. For example, Mahantha Thakur Ji was sent to the National Assembly, and his daughter was given a direct ticket. Because of this, a leader left the party. You yourself were on the ticket distribution committee, weren't you?

Honorable Mahantha Ji's wife passed away around 2044 BS. He is a person who spent about 8 years in jail. His son passed away in 2052/53 BS; he had only one son. This daughter we are talking about, Minakshi Thakur, whose surname is now Jha after marriage—when talking about the daughter, she is such a child who did not receive a mother's love, nor her father's time. She had no brothers. Mahantha Thakur used to keep his daughter at the bar when he was arguing in court. He had to raise the child with the fees earned from arguments. Furthermore, she had said she would not contest the election. Mahantha Ji had also mentioned this. But she accepted it after the party made a decision.

There is an allegation that you yourself do not contest elections. Why don't you contest elections yourself?

I have not taken any position of benefit from the party so far.
Not taken, or not received?

I have not taken it. If I had sought one, I would have certainly received something. I am in leadership in every struggle unilaterally. I work for the party 24 hours a day. I am a person who lives in social life 24 hours a day. I must also work for myself one day a week. Otherwise, who will check my blood, who will buy my pressure medicine, how will I ride my car, how will I eat my dal-roti?

If you are not wrong, does caste also play a role in your party?

We give candidacies by looking at caste equations to some extent. Votes tend to fall along caste lines. In the districts of the Terai-Madhes, sometimes it seems that the 'caste mindset' system that existed in our village society is still present, and there is a fear that a conscious group capable of distinguishing between that mindset and the leader has not yet been formed.

Are there any discussions happening regarding an electoral alliance with UML?

There is no such dialogue right now. There is no election-oriented dialogue. But what will the political liquidity in the country be like after the election, the parliament that will be formed? How will it take the country forward? How will it solve the problems? And, frankly speaking, Nepal is at a historically difficult juncture. There is despair among the citizens. There is a state of dead calm. And even experienced political leaders are worried about where the country is heading and whether we will be in a position to control it.

Assessments are beginning to suggest that the condition of Janata Samajbadi Party is precarious now. What is your assessment?
How did that assessment come about? We will be the largest party in Madhes Province.

How so? Doesn't the prospect of Balen Shah, a person from the Madhesi community, becoming Prime Minister affect you?

I do not see a situation where someone becomes Prime Minister just by saying so on Facebook or on that platform. Balen Ji's father was of Madhesi origin, although he remained in the service of the nation his entire life, staying in Kathmandu. While it is true that Balen Ji's roots are from Madhes or that he is Madhesi, his origin is established. But his lifestyle, education, culture, demeanor, attire, and mannerisms are not.

It will not have any effect.

There is talk that Balen and RSP will sweep clean.

Who knows, maybe Balen Ji will go 'all clear'? Maybe he will go 'clean bowled'? Given the way he has been brought to that position, he could also be 'clean bowled' himself.

The demand was often heard that Madhes did not get the executive head of the country; we want the executive head of the country. Now that a person from the Madhesi community is announcing himself as Prime Minister, shouldn't you all be happy and supportive?
I can support him when he is qualitatively more refined than me. Your agenda must be refined. Your contribution must be refined. Your credibility must be of that level. Balen Ji has not done anything of that sort yet, neither for my party, nor for my community, nor for this country.

When he was the Mayor of Kathmandu, Kathmandu was the municipality with the highest unspent budget. Kathmandu is number one among metropolitan cities for low budget expenditure. The people facing the most harassment from Balen Ji are Madhesis.

Is Madhes a laboratory? Will you keep coming and experimenting? Is the youth of Madhes incapable of providing leadership? Why has this situation arisen today? The issue of dynastic politics you are raising today, you are also utilizing that utilitarianism. If Gagan Ji is trying to build a new youth Congress today, he should be able to say to Surendra Singh, Birendra, and others in Sarlahi, 'I will get you elected from Kathmandu-4, make you the President of the Nepali Congress, and make you the Prime Minister.' We understand this much if he is a renunciate and is trying to do this.

Your comment on whether Gagan Thapa will win the election or not?

I hear that 51 crore rupees have gone there to get Gagan Ji elected.

Who will be the Prime Minister among KP Oli, Gagan Thapa, and Balendra Shah?

All three will be there, they will take turns, and the remaining 6-7 of us will also be there. They have announced Balen Ji, but I have great doubt about what he will do in the party. I am concerned that he is being used in a way that will destroy a personality.