''I am against federalism and proportionality, I say again - this does not work''

UML leader Gokul Baskota has proudly declared that he is against federalism and proportional system in the context of Nepal. Baskota, who was elected as a member of the House of Representatives from Kavre-2 through the direct election system, says, 'I am against federalism and proportionality, I say again - this does not work.'

Here is an edited part of Rohit Dahal's conversation with leader Baskota about the recently concluded election results, discrimination in ticket distribution in UML, the new government to be formed and the leftist unity:

The kind of accusations that you had, you were under siege from all sides. People used to take Gokul Baskota to KP Oli's level and said other parties also besieged you. Even when the party was divided, there was much doubt about you winning the election because it was more affected in your area? What magic did you use?

The people used the magic, not me. I just asked for vote and as I did the work which I said I would do as per the people's expectations, the people of Kavre analysed themselves. That's all. Now who spread such a rumour, it's none of my concern.

It didn't touch you, did it?

If it was truth, it would have touched me.

What was the biggest hurdle or a topic where you had to clarify the people, during election?

There was none. I didn't need to clarify anything and i needn't need to face any dissatisfaction from the people. It was only their support which I got. But the people have given me a message for a new work to be done, which I have taken seriously. It is to create employment and play the role of making our people proud to be a citizen of this country and protect Patriotism.

What difference did you find between the election of 2074 and this time? You won by an even bigger margin in 2074.

Yes the margin in 2074 was bigger, as CPN (UML) had won 6 municipalities under my constituency at the local level. We had 42, 43 thousand votes of our own. On top of that, we had an electoral synergy with CPN-Maoist. I was the common candidate of the Left wing. A psychological effect was also distinct. There was also a difference in the cadre that the left wing had joined the left wing. Now it is the opposite, as UML and Maoists have split. Was it good or bad, the election has shown and that which can't be a national party, leave it.

But the leaders had split up, right? So?

Because of that, they couldn't become a national party. Were the people divided? No. But this time, it was different. Now with the Congress, the Maoists and with that the ones split from UML and others like Chitrabahadur were all separate. That was different. But the faith within the people was the same. Their dreams weren't betrayed, so others might have been on pressure while going amidst the people, but not me.

So, it is clear from this that Gokul Baskota only said what he did and won the election. But unlike your nature, you didn't abuse anyone, you didn't even take Deepakji's name? Didn't you swear? Also, did you reject the party president's request to hold a general meeting?

No, there was no talk between me and the party president. I didn't know that the president was going. He had told me that he wanted to hold a general meeting around 28th Kartik, which I said I didn't have time for. How to gather people when there's only 4,5 days remaining and what is the purpose of holding a general meeting. I had said so.

Why didn't you take the president along? Did you feel that your vote would decrease if you took him?

Why is it necessary to take the president along? And first, I didn't have the time for it, and second, the appeal he would make was the same. The president didn't go to Kavre even in 2074, please keep this in mind. I didn't want to give trouble because holding a general meeting is a lot of trouble, and I think it is now outdated in Nepal's context.

Is creating employment a major topic now?

Yes, and all parties can work together for it. Not agreeing on foreign policy and production and they are also expressing their hatred for opportunism. Some are telling unexpected results have come and some are swearing, but I didn't care.I had a plan, worked for it and questioned what should be done.

So in overall, did CPN UML win or lose in this election?

Analysis is individual, but seeing the political condition, it was a win.

Was there any weakness in ticket distribution?

What was I saying? Call me intolerant? The main reason for the change of any substance of any object is within itself and external environment is only secondary.

What were the mistakes? UML could increase 12, 15 seats, right?

That is to be talked in meeting. I think, we could win 63 seats directly. What they did all over the nation, that I don't know. Even talking about my own district, nobody asked me what to do and they didn't even listen to me.

It seems that you expressed great displeasure with proportionality, even in your Facebook status, didn't you?

This is my question to the whole system. As I am against such federalism and proportionality, I say again this doesn't work, this is my opinion as a free citizen. But I can not change this system! So what I can say dispassionately is that I take responsibility for myself. I can't say about others and the whole country.

Is it necessary to change the internal democracy within the parties?

Yes it is. If the proportional system is one of the standards. No one is ready to leave! Because take out from the pocket, put it in own's. That's the situation!

Many people say that UML suffered a loss by not giving tickets to Bhim Rawal and Ghanshyam Bhusal in this election, what do you say?

I too had reservations about not having to give tickets to Ghanshyam Bhusal. It happens even if you don't give it, as he doesn't believe in ideas and organizational systems, should we just believe in what he says? If you say KP Oli only tries to impose his own opinion, then isn't Ghanshyam the same?

Will UML go to the government or not?

Making the government, leading and making such an organization is our purpose, but UML hasn't won enough seats, so how can it go to the government?

Isn't it true that you will go to the government even if you have to give the Prime Minister to Prachanda?

No, not now.

We have heard that you guys are working to unite the leftists. Is it not?

In this country, uniting the leftists and keeping 5 fleas together is the same.

Will UML not make a government by accepting someone else as Prime Minister?

I don't think a government will be made on UML's leadership. But will UML supprt another or not is not my concern.

Is it not possible if Congress and UML unite?

It is a very difficult thing for these two to unite, not that they haven't united but only in crises, never in competition.

What's your comment on National Independent Party's votes?

I don't want to know how much people have voted whom, as it's the people's expression. And I won't predict if new parties will survive or not, they have gotten a new challenge as well; they came to power by organizing the unsatisfactions, but now, even if they are in opposition, they must follow the principles of accountability.

If people's votes keep on going for new parties like this, will the situation not come for old parties to prepare for exodus to jungles within the next five years?

We can't say this will happen in politics, even more in our country as a lot of factors are at work here. Therefore, that opinion may be of dissatisfaction, optimism or even the notion that times are changing.