Profile of Bishwabandhu Thapa: A Life Navigating Nepali Politics from Rana Regime to Republican Era

Bishwabandhu Thapa was born on Bhadra 24, 1984 BS, in Deepnagar, Bihar province of India, the son of Subba Padmajanga Thapa and Durgakumari. Padmajanga was forced to leave the country for not supporting every act of Chandra Shamsher Rana. Therefore, Bishwabandhu Thapa's early education also took place in India. In 1990 BS, after receiving a pardon from Juddha Shamsher, his parents returned to Nepal with six-year-old Bishwabandhu. After that, Bishwabandhu acquired his schooling education in Biratnagar.

Bishwabandhu Thapa was sharp since childhood. In his youth, he engaged in intellectual arguments. Upon reaching adolescence, he used to say extemdash 'The Ranas must end in Nepal. After that, I wish to be a worthy citizen of the country.'

Thapa had been vocal against the Ranas since his youth. Because of this, Rana's soldiers arrested him and imprisoned him. At that time, he spent four months in jail. Even after democracy arrived, he was jailed again. After he went on a hunger strike there, he was released from jail 'out of fear that he might die.'

The Nepali Congress was formed with the advice of Thapa himself. He was active for its upliftment. At that time, he was a student in Banaras. He was a very trusted confidant of Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala. After His Majesty King Mahendra deposed multi-party democracy, he dedicated himself from 2017 BS onwards to nurturing, developing, and strengthening the Panchayat system. In fact, Thapa was the conceptualizer of the term Panchayat system itself.

Thapa was a great devotee, confidant, and dear figure to King Mahendra. It was in 2027 BS extemdash the King promised Bishwabandhu Thapa, 'I will make you the Prime Minister.' But he never reached that position. In reality, King Mahendra's demise was like a political life and death for him. Nevertheless, he never became inactive, disheartened, or distracted in politics. During the National Referendum of 2036 BS, he joined B.P. Koirala in opposing the Panchayat. He was extremely active in ensuring the victory of multi-party democracy at that time. He worked day and night for the promotion of multi-party democracy. Then, after the Panchayat won, he declared extemdash 'I will permanently align myself with the Panchayat side.' He was like the very lifeblood of the Panchayat in his later days. Therefore, he was the director and organizer of the Central Panchayat Assembly of 2042 BS.

When his heart was broken, he was dissatisfied, or felt wronged, Thapa would vent his frustrations by confronting the King. Some called him an opportunist politician due to his various actions. Countering this, Narendra Raj Prasai wrote in his 2041 BS book 'Thirty-Eight Strange Faces' (अठतीस अनौठा अनुहार) extemdash 'If we do not consider 'My Ox's Twelve Spots' (मेरो गोरुको बाहै टक्का) as politics, then it would not be wrong to call Bishwabandhu Thapa's tendency progressivism. Thapa possessed the qualities of a skilled and astute politician, capable of molding himself according to time and circumstance. Whether one accepts it or not, Bishwabandhu Thapa is certainly a famous name in political turmoil and activities.'

General Thapa made every effort to shape his political career. He toured villages with the aim of becoming a people's favorite. Wherever he went within Nepal, he went for political reasons. He toured all districts of Nepal. Furthermore, he visited major countries around the world.

Thapa was a highly insightful and prominent personality among Nepal's top politicians. However, political fortune never supported him as desired. Those who followed the trend of his attire (dura) in the Panchayat system became Prime Ministers. Or, one might say, individuals like Nagendra Prasad Rijal, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, and Marichman Singh managed to sit on the Prime Ministerial chair. But Bishwabandhu Thapa was never brought to that seat. Patriotic statesman Kirtinidhi Bista had said about him extemdash 'If King Birendra had honored King Mahendra's promise, Bishwabandhu Thapa would have become Prime Minister. I repeatedly told King Birendra extemdash 'Bishwabandhu Thapa has been wronged.' In reality, in the Panchayat system, Bishwabandhu Thapa and Rajeshwor Devkota were the repositories of far-sighted ideas. But the Royal Palace severely curtailed the political lives of both these brothers. As a consequence, the view that 'since 2046 BS the country has endured multi-party democracy and even after that republicanism has snatched away the fortunes of Nepalis' was not uncommon in Nepal.

The King pinned the first-class Gorkha Dakshinabahu and Trishakti Patta medals on Thapa's chest. Also, for the sake of honor, the King conferred upon him the title of Major General in the Royal Nepali Army. However, he never used the title 'General' as long as he lived. In 2042 BS extemdash when questioned about the medals and the General title, he put Kishor Nepal forward and replied to Narendra Raj Prasai extemdash 'Perhaps the meaning of 'The lazy worker is the greedy eater' (काम गर्ने कालु मकै खाने भालु) applies to me! Have I become the bear for the King? It seems difficult for the King to hold onto the bear's ear, and also difficult to let go.'

General Thapa made every effort to shape his political career. He toured villages with the aim of becoming a people's favorite. Wherever he went within Nepal, he went for political reasons. He toured all districts of Nepal. Furthermore, he visited major countries around the world.

Thapa participated as Nepal's representative at the United Nations in 2016 and 2017 BS. He went to China in 2020 BS as the Chairman of the National Panchayat delegation. He shook hands with Mao Zedong and conveyed many things to Mao for the benefit of both countries. At that time, Mao told him extemdash 'I consider King Mahendra a Communist leader.'

After returning from China, Thapa praised Mao and also stated his own view extemdash 'China is a different matter. Mao is a great leader. But communist philosophy cannot flourish in Nepal. Furthermore, the parliamentary system is just a crowd and merely a gathering. Parliamentary democracy is still rare in Nepal. Democracy in Nepal can only flourish under the supreme leadership of His Majesty the King.'

Thapa was a founder of the Nepali National Congress, a member of the Nepali Congress, Chief District Officer after democracy arrived in 2007 BS, an elected member of the House of Representatives in 2015 BS, General Secretary and Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress party, and the first Central Chairman of the Nepal Youth Organization. He was the first Chairman of the National Panchayat formed in 2020 BS. He also served as a Panchayat member and Home Minister.

Thapa studied at Banaras Hindu University. He completed his B.S. degree from there. He wrote poetry since childhood. He wrote many poems and songs. Some of his songs were broadcast on Radio Nepal. Furthermore, his thought-provoking political articles and memoirs were also regularly published.

Thapa became the first Chairman of the Gaunpharka National Campaign in 2034 BS. Gaunpharka (Back to Village) was also his concept. But the Panchas did not let him stay long there. It was during Dashain in 2035 BS extemdash while he was the Chairman of Gaunpharka extemdash that he accepted Tika from the hands of B.P. Koirala. Subsequently, King Birendra could not withstand the strong opposition from the Panchas and stripped him of his position.

Thapa also became the Chairman of the Sajha Kendra (Common Center). The concept, idea, and management of Sajha were also Thapa's. His suggestions were irrefutable for King Mahendra.

Thapa studied at Banaras Hindu University. He completed his B.S. degree from there. He wrote poetry since childhood. He wrote many poems and songs. Some of his songs were broadcast on Radio Nepal. Furthermore, his thought-provoking political articles and memoirs were also regularly published. His book 'His Majesty King Mahendra and the Panchayat' served as a guide for Panchayat workers.

Thapa was completely displeased with the political activities in his later days. That scene cast a shadow of political despair over him. Thapa used to say, 'Those in power only need to be active and honest, but here corruption started from the rulers themselves.' He would say extemdash 'What a beautiful country it was, but the so-called leaders made Nepal so ugly.' Thapa strongly condemned corruption. His complaint was extemdash 'That very tendency transformed multi-party democracy and republicanism into something bad. The ungrateful sons of Mother Nepal claimed to be worthy sons while reaching high positions.'

Thapa married Jyotsna Thapa for the first time at the age of eighteen. Later, he developed affection for Rukmini Rana and brought her home after applying vermilion and necklace. Rana used to teach History at Tribhuvan University. Thapa had two sons from his paternal lineage. One, known as 'Bandhu Thapa,' made a name for himself in Nepali journalism with integrity, politeness, and simplicity. Bandhu Thapa was also known as a staunch advocate of democracy.

Bishwabandhu Thapa, a very honest, gentle, and skilled leader in Nepali politics, remained focused on political contemplation throughout his life. Wherever he went, he spent his time advocating for the King. In reality, his tongue bore only the stamp of the King, the King, and the King. Yet, his intense desire was for the country to be peaceful, democratic, and successful. Even while approaching 99 years of age, he kept wishing for the nation's all-round development and the happiness and prosperity of the people. Eventually, his body failed him, and he became bedridden. He passed away in Kathmandu on Falgun 2, 2082 BS. One might say that on that day, the Hercules of the monarchy and democracy was lost forever.