KIRAN PANDAY

The nation has lost a guardian in the form of seasoned political hero Girija Prasad Koirala. He was above his official designation as the president of the NC, an institution in himself. No political leader has his stature. The death of Koirala has created a political vacuum that will be sorely felt as the country is in transition.

In the absence of Koirala, there is a risk of political imbalance and anarchy, as he kept all kinds of extremist politics in balance. Consensus is necessary to ward off political extremism.

His political career began in the early Rana period, and he became the prime minister after the 1990 movement. He was tough with the communists then, but this approach changed over time, and he initiated political dialogue with the rebels.

He also led the movement against the royal coup while bringing the Maoists into the mainstream. The monarchy was abolished in a bloodless transition. It was under his leadership that Jana Andolan II succeeded, the Maoists were brought into the peace process, the country was declared a federal republic and the CA elections were held. The person who led these processes is no more.

READ ALSO:
The golden middle - FROM ISSUE #495 (26 MARCH 2010 - 01 APRIL 2010)
THE MORNING AFTER - FROM ISSUE #495 (26 MARCH 2010 - 01 APRIL 2010)
Real democracy - FROM ISSUE #495 (26 MARCH 2010 - 01 APRIL 2010)
Media mourning - FROM ISSUE #495 (26 MARCH 2010 - 01 APRIL 2010)
Death of the guardian - FROM ISSUE #495 (26 MARCH 2010 - 01 APRIL 2010)
Political being - FROM ISSUE #495 (26 MARCH 2010 - 01 APRIL 2010)
Post-GP - FROM ISSUE #495 (26 MARCH 2010 - 01 APRIL 2010)