Democratic fighter Kandel passes away

Kathmandu, June 30: Relentless freedom fighter Govinda Prasad Sharma Kandel has passed away in Chitwan on Sunday. He was 87. 

Former President of the Nepali Congress Baglung Kandel was a member of the House of Representatives from Baglung constituency-1 in 2048 BS and a former member of the senior politicians' assembly of the NC. 

Kandel hailing from Baglung's Bihunkot received party membership from the people's leader B.P. Koirala in 2010 BS. 

He had served the party as the commander of Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, and Palpa in and around 2019 BS, the NC sources said. 

During the struggles and movements against the autocratic Panchayat regime and in favor of democracy, he spent a total of 7 years in jail from 2019 BS to 2046 BS. 

He played a leading role in the expansion of the party organization, states a condolence message issued by the NC. 

His lifestyle was exemplary, marked by simplicity, humility, dignity, and inspiration. With his passing, the NC has lost a senior and experienced politician, it is noted in the message. 

The late Kandel is survived by two sons and one daughter. 

Meanwhile, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed deep sorrow on the demise of Kandel. "The news of the passing of former President of the NC Baglung, former lawmaker and an unwavering fighter of Nepal's democratic movement, Govinda Prasad Sharma Kandel, has left me profoundly shocked and saddened. The contributions by the late Kandel in building the party organization and Nepal's democratic movements will always be remembered in the party", Deuba noted. (RSS)