Public hopeless about sustainable peace & new statute

Bishnu Prasad Aryal

Kathmandu, March 20

Ordinary people disheartened by the demise of Girija Prasad Koirala, exceptional political hero of the nation, feel that death of democratic icon would cost unbearable loss in bringing the country into a right path. 

Former Premier and Nepali Congress President Koirala (1925-2010), who led the historic movement making the country Democratic Republic, passed away at 12:10 PM today.

In a sobbing voice, Nityananda Niraula, 74, who hails from Salyan-2 in Solukhumbu, said that Koirala is not only the leader of Nepal but also the international democratic hero. “He, who was successful in bringing all the political parties together, contributed a lot for the democracy and the nation,” said Niraula, a farmer, who has come to visit his two sons studying in Kathmandu.

“The writing of new constitution has fallen at stake now. I don’t think other leaders will compensate this loss,” he added. “Mourning will not be enough to remember his contribution.”

Expressing deep condolence over death, Rabina Khadka, eigth grader at Shanti Nikunja Higher Secondary School, Hanumandhoka, believed that nobody was comparable to Koirala in the country. She knew well that GPK, who is brother of BP Koirala, fought for democracy, people and nation since the Rana Regime. “Girija worked to end the 11-year Maoist violence and assure people for sighing peace,” she said. “If the political parties fail to go hand in hand, the country will fall into an abyss,” she worried.

Other people who this scribe met on the streets of told THT their feelings about the unbearable loss in the history of the country.

Kamana Ghimire, health worker at Kathmandu Model Hospital—“He, who was wise and farsighted, died before fulfilling his dream to write new constitution. The future of country is heading towards anarchy. His only weakness was his daughter.”

Taxi driver Molam Singh Yonjan from Hetauda—No leader is more liberal than Koirala. His death has brought uncertainty in the country.

Kapil Khanal, English Teacher at CG Manipal Campaign College— “Koirala is nice, bold and determined leader of the country. Man with more merits and less drawbacks. The problems will be gradually solved.”

Radhika Pradhan, housewife from Putalisadak—I don’t think peace will be sustainable in absence of him.

Sushila Shrestha, a commener—No one will replace his space.

Khim Prasad Adhikari, BA student at RR Campus—True democratic hero of the nation. The pillar of the nation has collapsed. Other selfish leaders will push the country into anarchy again and peace will be disrupted.

Ram Bahadur Shrestha, businessman at Baghbazaar—Man committed for democracy and people. He died two months earlier.

Laxman Shahi, vegetable seller at Tukucha—The country has lost big thing. There is less chance of writing new constitution.