Kathmandu: The 15th memorial day of former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is being marked today by organizing various programmes. The late Koirala played a crucial role in bringing the agitating factions into the mainstream of peaceful politics, thereby ending the armed conflict in the country.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Koirala led significant movements against the then King Gyanendra Shah’s decision to appoint Prime Ministers of his choice, dismissing the elected Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on October 4, 2002. Koirala spearheaded the democratic movement by uniting political parties after King Gyanendra, on February 1, 2005, appointed himself as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and banned political parties. This movement culminated on April 24, 2006, when King Gyanendra agreed to restore the dissolved House of Representatives, following the roadmap of seven agitating political parties. Successful in his efforts, Koirala became the prime minister for the fourth time.
The reinstated House of Representatives on May 18, 2006, curtailed all the rights of the palace, limiting the King to a ceremonial role. Under Koirala’s leadership, arms management and the integration of the Maoist people’s liberation army were undertaken. Koirala realized the long-held dream of NC founder leader BP Koirala by conducting the constituent assembly elections on April 10, 2008, marking a historic event in Nepal’s history, despite the first Constituent Assembly’s failure to promulgate a constitution.
The first Constituent Assembly election saw the participation of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist), which had previously launched an armed revolt against the State, in the parliamentary multi-party political competition. Koirala, who served as the prime minister four times, also assumed the role of acting head of state during his last term after King Gyanendra was suspended.
Under Koirala’s leadership, Nepal transitioned into a federal democratic republic, abolishing the 240-year Shah-dynasty monarchy on May 28, 2008. Koirala, known for his commitment to his political promises, passed away on March 20, 2010.
The Nepali Congress, along with its sister and affiliated organizations and well-wishers, is commemorating Koirala’s 15th Memorial Day with various programs to honor his contributions to establishing peace in Nepal. On this occasion, the GP Koirala Foundation organized a memorial program in the capital today.