E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, MAR 21 - Now that the patriarch of Nepal’s politics, former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala, is no more, perhaps the most important relationship between the two key players—Koirala and UCPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal—of Nepali politics and the peace process has also come to an end.

Koirala after prolonged respiratory sickness passed away Saturday afternoon.

The Koirala-Dahal camaraderie began following the 12-point agreement in New Delhi, India helping lay the foundation of Nepal’s peace process.

Dahal on Saturday evening said his relations with Koirala were guided by the historic need.

Terming Koirala’s demise a ‘serious setback’ to the peace process, Dahal stressed on unity among the political forces.

“Koirala was for the timely statute and logical conclusion of the peace process,” said Dahal. “His death has left us grief-stricken. We hope we will be able to translate our sorrow into our strength to forge unity and usher in lasting peace.”

Dahal recounted his first meeting with Koirala in New Delhi in 2003, when the armed conflict was at its peak.

“At the meeting which lasted an hour or so, I realised Koirala’s strong conviction,” said Dahal. Dahal recalled Koirala asking him to relinquish armed conflict and enter multi-party competitive politics. 

But the main opposition leader’s confidence on Koirala soared only after they had a second meeting. “We discussed the political direction that Nepal should be taking during our second meeting,” said Dahal.

Post-peace agreement, as Koirala-Dahal meetings became more frequent, their relationship kept swinging also. Every meeting between Koirala and Dahal would grab media headlines and political party leaders, especially those from Koirala’s own party, would either spice up the meetings or downplay.

“He used to tell me that his party men didn’t like our meetings much but would add that he would not be able to do without me,” Dahal reminisced. “We had emotional bonding that certainly would cut across the party ideologies.”

Few days back, when Dahal went to visit Koirala at Gangalal Hospital, Koirala had told Dahal the responsibility had shifted to him.

Dahal was in Mandikhatar to visit Koirala on Saturday morning as well. “That’s the last meeting I had with him.”

Dahal maintained that he never felt uneasy nor did Koirala’s comments deter him from meeting and talking to Koirala.

Recounting Koirala’s advise not to seek resignation of the then Army chief, Dahal quoted Koirala, “You’ve already sought clarification, that’s enough. Don’t go beyond this. I think when he advised me or asked me to do something, he showered affection on me.”

“Koirala was serious about peace process,” said Dahal. “We hope we will be able to materialise his dreams.”

Posted on: 2010-03-21 12:00

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