Marking the 10th Death Anniversary of Former Nepali PM Sushil Koirala

Kathmandu. Today marks the 10th death anniversary of Sushil Koirala, the former President of the Nepali Congress.

He was the Prime Minister of Nepal when the constitution was promulgated through the Constituent Assembly on Ashoj 3, 2072 BS. He passed away four months after the promulgation of the constitution, on Magh 26, at his residence in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. His sudden demise was due to pneumonia.

Koirala, known among Congress members as 'Sushil Da', succeeded in becoming Prime Minister after the second Constituent Assembly elections. He became the 37th Prime Minister of Nepal on Magh 27 of the same year.

The eldest son of father Bodh Prasad and mother Kumudini, Koirala was born in Biratnagar in 1995 BS. Bodh Prasad had six sons and one daughter; he was a Forest Officer. Bodh Prasad was posted in Nepalgunj, Banke, for his job, and Sushil grew up there.

Sushil, active in politics since 2010 BS, lived in exile in India for 16 years after the seizure of democracy in 2017 BS. While there, he edited 'Tarun', the mouthpiece of the Nepali Congress. Having spent about five years in political detention in Nepal and India, he became a central committee member of the Congress in 2036 BS. Sushil actively participated in the campaign for multi-party democracy during the referendum of 2036 BS, the Satyagraha of 2042 BS, and the historic mass movement of 2046 BS.

He served for a long time in the Congress as a Central Committee member, General Secretary, Vice President, and Acting President. After the 11th General Convention, he took on the responsibility of Vice President, and following the unification of the Congress and Nepali Congress Prajatantrik in Ashoj 2064 BS, he held the responsibility of Acting President.

However, after the 12th General Convention, he was elected President, defeating Sher Bahadur Deuba. Sushil, who never held a government post other than Prime Minister, is considered a leader of moral politics in Congress circles.

After 2046 BS, he headed the party's Foreign Relations Department. He was elected from Banke district in the House of Representatives elections of 2048 BS and 2056 BS. He was defeated by Deuba for the post of Parliamentary Party Leader in 2058 BS. After being defeated in the 2051 Mid-term and the first Constituent Assembly elections in 2064 BS, he was elected from Banke in the second Constituent Assembly elections of 2070 BS.

Koirala, who spent five decades in politics, repeatedly refused ministerial posts when the Congress led governments after 2046 BS.

In the interim government formed under the leadership of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai after the restoration of democracy in 2046 BS, Congress leaders urged Sushil to become the Foreign Minister, but Koirala publicly stated in various programs that he had refused that request. Even later, Sushil was repeatedly asked to become Deputy Prime Minister, but he kept refusing.

During his tenure as Prime Minister, Nepal promulgated its constitution through the Constituent Assembly for the first time.

• Politics Began After Mahendra Seized Power

Sushil's political journey began after then King Mahendra deposed the popularly elected government led by Bishweshwar Prasad (BP) Koirala in 2017 BS. He started his political career as an aide to BP, who was in exile in India following the King's 'coup'.

Even his opponents praise his dedication and commitment to democracy. Before 2016 BS, Koirala had received training in dance and photography in Banaras and was making final preparations to go to America for further choreography studies and work in Hollywood. At that very moment, when then King Mahendra dissolved the popularly elected government on Poush 1, 2017 BS, his journey took a turn. Sushil, who was about to go to Hollywood (America), began his political journey.

Congress President Gagan Thapa says that Sushil succeeded in coordinating everyone to promulgate the constitution. He states that Koirala's contribution continues to inspire everyone to remain firmly committed to the effective implementation of the constitution. 'The contribution of the respected Sushil Koirala, who succeeded in promulgating the constitution by coordinating everyone, continues to inspire all of us today to remain firmly committed to the effective implementation of the constitution,' said President Thapa remembering Koirala.

Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala portrays Sushil as a leader of integrity and sacrifice, stating that under his firm resolve and leadership, the Nepali people's seven-decade-long dream of receiving a 'constitution through a Constituent Assembly' was realized.

'I express high respect to the late Sushil Koirala, a leader of integrity and sacrifice in Nepali politics, former Prime Minister, and former President of the Nepali Congress, on his 10th death anniversary,' said Dr. Koirala, 'Under his firm resolve and leadership, the Nepali people's seven-decade-long dream of receiving a 'constitution through a Constituent Assembly' was realized. His simple lifestyle and 'politics of integrity' remain a source of inspiration for all of us today.'