Nepal announced a three-day mourning starting from Sunday for Girija Prasad Koirala, the country’s five-time Prime Minister who passed away here on Saturday of multiple organ failure at the age of 85.
During the mourning, all flags will fly at half-mast, the cabinet announced on Saturday after passing a condolence for the departed leader.
Nepalese leaders across the political spectrum expressed condolence on the death of the veteran Nepali Congress president.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal went to the residence of Foreign Minister Sujata Koirala, to express condolence on the death of the veteran leader.
Ms. Sujata, also the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, is Koirala’s only daughter.
Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior leaders of various political parties visited his daughter’s residence to express condolence as thousands of people gathered outside after hearing the news of the death of the Nepali Congress supremo.
Baburam Bhattarai, CPN-Maoist vice chairman, said Koirala’s demise was a great loss to the country.
“No single leader can compensate for the loss caused by the death of Koirala,” he said, adding “we all should work together to compensate the loss.”
Mr. Bhattarai recalled that Koirala had asked the Maoists to fulfil “the big responsibility entrusted upon them” when he had visited Gangalal Heart Centre few days back along with Maoists chief Prachanda to wish him speedy recovery.
Former Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, the chief of the Madhesi People’s Rights Forum, described Koirala as a “great democratic leader” who fought for the cause of democracy.
“In his demise the country has lost a great leader,” Mr. Yadav said.
“To pay true homage to Koirala we have to fulfil the tasks of drafting the constitution, completing the peace process and restructuring the state mechanism,” he underlined.
Foreign governments also expressed sympathy and solidarity with the Nepalese people at this crucial juncture.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled the death of Koirala and said the late leader had an enlightened vision of India-Nepal relations.
Describing him as “statesman”, the U.S. expressed sympathy and solidarity of the American people with the people of Nepal upon the death of Koirala.
“Throughout his long political career, G.P. Koirala struggled for democracy and peace in Nepal,” it said.
It said the best way to honour Koirala’s legacy is to accelerate the peace process and finalise the new constitution.
