“I might go on a pilgrimage,” General Khadka told myrepublica.com, adding, “I am now feeling relaxed and relieved.” [break]
Khadka, who handed over all his duties and responsibilities to Lt Gen Chhatra Man Singh Gurung, left NA headquarter Friday after spending an “ordinary day” there.
He did not, however, meet army chief Rookmangud Katawal on his last day in office. “There was nothing to meet the chief about, so I did not feel it necessary to go and see him,” Khadka added.
Asked whether the NA gave him an official farewell, Khadka said, “The farewell at the NA is a simple process. It happens even years after generals retire.”
NA generals are invited for their farewell functions even three or four years after their retirement. “For instance, this year we had organized a farewell for a few generals who retired three or four years back,” Khadka said jokingly.
About the farewell, NA spokesperson Ramindra Chhetri said, “General Khadka will be given a farewell at an appropriate time.” Chhetri further informed that Friday was officially General Khadka´s last day at work since Saturday is a public holiday.
General Khadka remained under controversy for nearly two months towards the end of his tenure. The then Maoist-led government´s decision to sack army chief Katawal and put Khadka in the top post at the NA dragged him into political controversy. Then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigned on May 4 after President Dr Ram Baran Yadav reversed the government´s decision and asked Katawal to resume all his duties as NA chief.
After the new government nullified the previous government´s decision to sack Katawal, Khadka was forced to accept the cabinet decision and retire. Khadka said, “There is no choice but to accept the decision of the Government of Nepal.”
akanshya@myrepublica.com
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