Kathmandu: Relentless freedom fighter Govinda Prasad Sharma Kandel has passed away in Chitwan on Sunday. He was 87.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Kandel was a significant figure in Nepali politics, serving as the former President of the Nepali Congress Baglung and a member of the House of Representatives from Baglung constituency-1 in 2048 BS. He was also a former member of the senior politicians’ assembly of the Nepali Congress (NC).
Kandel, originally from Baglung’s Bihunkot, began his political journey by receiving party membership from the people’s leader B.P. Koirala in 2010 BS. He played a crucial role in the party as the commander of Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, and Palpa around 2019 BS.
Throughout his life, Kandel was a dedicated opponent of the autocratic Panchayat regime, spending a total of 7 years in jail between 2019 BS and 2046 BS due to his involvement in democratic movements. His commitment to expanding the party organization was acknowledged in a condolence message issued by the NC, which highlighted his significant contributions to the party.
The late Kandel is survived by two sons and one daughter. His passing marks the loss of a senior and experienced politician for the Nepali Congress.
NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed profound sorrow over Kandel’s demise, stating, “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.”