A true statesman

The Himalayan Times

10 Mar.2011

It was indeed heart-breaking and painful day to bid adieu, as reported “Thousands bid adieu to democracy icon” (THT, 7 Mar, Page 1) to Krishna P. Bhattarai (KPB), one of the founding member of Nepali Congress. He always remained uncompromised to his value-based politics and committed to the betterment of Nepal and its people. He will always be remembered for his altruism, disciplined and productive politics. He was indeed a true statesman that Nepal ever had and may never have in the days to come and had made priceless contribution towards the democratization of Nepal’s political system and always stood firmly for Nepal’s sovereignty.  

His own party had ignored and betrayed him for his firm statement, even after post II Jana Andolan, towards the need of constitutional monarchy and multiparty system in Nepal. He had once mentioned that Nepal had now slipped its political system out from its hand soon after CA had announced Nepal as a Republic state. He remained adamant to his principle and even abstained from NC general assembly opposing party’s manifest to go for republic. Listening to different NC senior leaders during his funeral ceremony, it seemed that they were determined to follow his ideology in the coming days which remains to be seen in future in what way they are going to materialize his ideals.

Looking closely at the ongoing political environment, it cannot be easily ignored his political philosophy. However, future political course of new Nepal will tell whether KPB’s political ideology was correct. But, the time has definitely come for senior leaders to follow KPB’s principle, among others, of simplicity, honesty, dedication and productive politics, if they had wished to sincerely pay tribute to him.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu