I have been saddened by the death of the commander of Nepal´s democratic movement, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala. I wish eternal peace for the departed soul and pay last tributes to him.
While our country is passing through a historical transitional phase, the nation has incurred a huge loss by the death of Koirala who led over a six-decade long movement for building a modern Nepal for nationality and for the Nepali society. The path of peace and consensus he showed us will always be relevant. [break]
Koirala´s commitment without any compromise to democratic values and sacrifice of his entire life for the sake of Nepali people will always be a source of inspiration for both the present and future generations.
His simplicity, determination for attaining the goal, sincerity, patience, balanced and objective behavior are something that we should learn from him. We will be able to take the peace process to a logical conclusion and write constitution on time by following his footpath.
I pray to the almighty that the bereaved family members and well-wishers will receive the strength to bear this loss and I express my condolence to them.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal
The active and leadership role played by Koirala in all democratic movements that took place since 2003 BS to 2062/63 BS will never be erased from the history of Nepal. The country will always remain indebted to the contribution of Girija Prasad Koirala in his six-decade-long political career as an experienced, determined and never exhausting leader. I, on behalf of the government and on my own, offer my tributes to him at this hour of sadness.
Daughter and DPM Sujata Koirala
He desperately wanted to see the logical end of the peace process and promulgation of new constitution in his lifetime. He was worried over the dillydallying in the peace process and the constitution writing process. He also expressed the same worries during his last meeting with the prime minister. He urged the prime minister to forge consensus and take the politics ahead. I couldn´t understand everything what he said in the last meeting with the prime minister. What I could grasp the last two words he was repeating were ´national consensus´. I think the right way to fulfill his dream is to logically end the peace process and write the constitution on time.
Former king condoles death
Former King Gyanendra Shah has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Saturday. Shah wished for eternal peace of the departed soul and extended condolence to the family members, especially Koirala´s daughter Sujata and his nephew Shekhar, Shah´s former press secretary Phaniraj Pathak informed Republica. Shah´s former chief secretary Pashupati Bhakta Maharjan visited Sujata Koirala´s residence in Mandikatar and conveyed Shah´s condolence message to the bereaved family.
Sushil Koirala, acting president, NC
He led the peaceful movements even without caring his deteriorating health condition. For about 70 years, he consistently fought for democratic principles. He has passed away by making the Nepali people aware of democracy. He always wanted to take the peace process to a logical end and write constitution on time. Standing united, we will fulfill his dreams.
Ram Chandra Poudel, vice-president, NC
The commander of Nepal´s democratic movement is no more with us. The news of his death has spread as heartbreaking message to thousands of NC members, well-wishers and people from across the country. The entire country is mourning today.
We have lost our commander. The lessons he taught us and the path of peace and democracy he showed will always be a guiding principle for us. We will follow his path very sincerely and will be determined to fulfill his dream.
We in the NC will adopt collective leadership and promote institutional practice and that will help us fulfill his dreams.
Dr Baburam Bhattarai, vice-chairman, UCPN (Maoist)
We can compensate the loss by taking the peace process to a logical conclusion and writing the constitution on time. I think none of the present leaders can take his place in near future. We leaders from all the parties can compensate this irreparable loss only by our joint efforts by rising above our personal interests.
Upendra Yadav, Chairman, Madhesi People´s Rights Forum
Girija Prasad Koirala is a personality who persistently struggled for the cause of democracy. He successfully proved his conviction for peaceful politics and non-violent movement in practice by bringing the Maoists waging armed struggle into peaceful politics. He had played lead role in the ongoing peace process. The country has incurred an irreparable loss with his demise at this critical hour of the country.
Pradip Giri, leader, NC
He played really a guardian´s role in Nepali politics. For Prachanda [Pushpa Kamal Dahal] of UCPN (Maoist), who led the latest revolt, to Surya Bahadur Thapa, a leader of Panchayat regime, Girijababu was the last resort to seek consensus or solution when they were in trouble. Everyone sing the song of consensus but other contemporary leaders are not broad-minded like him.
Professor Krishna Khanal
Though his death is not a sudden, it has created a huge gap in Nepali politics. Deaths are unavoidable. Every country has to lose historic leaders. What we can hope at this moment is that his successor would gain a height and would be able to shoulder the responsibility. He played a role of a guardian in the recent years. Now other leaders should try to fill the gap through a system and statute of the NC.
He passed away at the time when the peace process and the constitution writing are in a critical stage. He was only the leader who could moderate top leaders from all the parties. In his absence, the differences among the parties may widen. Leaders should avoid it.
Jaya Kumar Nath Shah, Former president, Cricket Association of Nepal
I had met Koirala a couple of times. The cricket grounds of the Tribhuvan University and Nepal Engineering College are Koirala´s contribution to the sports sector. It is because of Koirala that we have been able to organize international tournaments in Nepal.
Kamal Bahadur Adhikari, 10th South Asian Games (SAG) gold medalist
Late Koirala, when he was the prime minister, had invited SAG medalists for tea at his residence in Baluwatar. He looked at my gold medal and said that I had to make the nation proud.
Partha Sarathi Sen Gupta, Director of Training Department, National Sports Council
The last time I met Koirala was during the felicitation program of the 10th SAG medalists at Baluwatar. I vividly remember Koirala saying, "Players are the ambassadors of the country they represent." Late Koirala then examined Kamal Bahadur Adhikari´s gold medal turning it around.
Deepak Bista, four times SAG gold medalist
He had felicitated the SAG medalists after the eighth and tenth editions. He told me, "Future of the country is in your hands, keep on progressing."
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