'GP Koirala a leader of revolution and peace'

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 5: President Ramchandra Paudel has said that former Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala was a leader of both revolution and peace.

Addressing a programme organised to mark the 102nd birth anniversary of late Girija Prasad Koirala on Friday, President Paudel said, “If I were to describe Girija Prasad Koirala in one phrase, he was a leader of revolution and a leader of peace.”

The President highlighted Koirala’s remarkable ability to change the course of politics by leading Nepal's democratic movement, steering the peace process forward and playing a key role in establishing the republic, three of the nation’s most significant political milestones in recent times.

“In the later stage of his life, Girija Prasad Koirala rose from being a political leader to a statesman and he continues to serve as an enduring source of inspiration for all of us,” President Paudel added.

The President praised Koirala's unwavering self-confidence and courage to take risks while taking decisions. He said, “That is why he was consistently committed to the fight for democracy. He never got tired of working and always inspired his fellow comrades to move forward. Even in the most difficult times, the flame of democracy within him never faded.”

President Paudel further said that the country’s dream of prosperity could be fulfilled only through peace, stability, reconciliation, 

cooperation, good governance, efficient service delivery to the people and the proper utilisation of the country's resources. 

He stressed, “We have a constitution made by the people themselves. The improvement in people’s living standards and the nation’s prosperity are the very objectives of our constitution and the federal democratic republic. These goals can be achieved only through peace, stability, reconciliation, cooperation, good governance and the effective mobilisation of our resources.”

The President also recalled that despite having ideological differences in economic models during Koirala's leadership, he adopted a centrist approach that balanced the capitalist and communist thoughts. 

As a result, the country’s economy remained relatively protected even when negative economic shocks were being felt across the world.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba remembered the late leader Koirala as an inspirational politician who worked for the cause of democracy and people.

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre), Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachada' said it has been widely agreed that Girija Prasad Koirala was a 'guardian of all' in Nepali politics.

He demonstrated his political maturity to an immense level during the peace process.

Furthermore, Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal's Chairman Upendra Yadav applauded the contribution of the late Koirala to promoting the democracy with equity and inclusion.

NC leaders Mahesh Acharya and Sujata Koirala said Girija Prasad Koirala's contribution to the democratic movements was incomparable.