A Talk Program: Nepal’s Peace Process and GP Koirala

Professional Alliance for Peace and Democracy (PAPAD) and GP Koirala Centre for Democracy, Peace and Development jointly organized a discussion program titled “On the 88th birth anniversary of Nepal’s political legend Girija Prasad Koirala: Nepal’s peace process and GP Koirala”. The program was chaired by Sujata Koirala, the Chairperson of GP Koirala Centre for Democracy, Peace and Development. The special guest of the program was Former Prime minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. KP Oli, senior leader of UML ; Krishna Prasad Sitaula, general secretary of Nepali congress; Ramesh Lekhak, a leader of Nepal Congress; Anil Jha, a leader of Sadhbawana Party; Dammanath Dhungana and Subodh Pyakurel from the civil society; Dil Bahadur Joshi, President of Nepal Teacher’s Union; Prem Bahadur Khadka, President of Nepal Bar Association; Rameshwore Upadhaya, Jibraj Pokhrel and GPK Foundation Executive Director Rakesh Hamal; and director of GP Koirala Centre for Democracy, Peace and Development, participated in the program.

Dil Bahadur Joshi, President of Nepal Teacher’s Union gave the welcome speech. Joshi highlighted the important political role and performance of Nepal’s political legend GP Koirala. He said that leaders of various political parties should unite for national consensus, for the country and people, to complete the peace process and constitutional writing process.

GP Koirala’s Chairperson Sujata Koirala highlighted about the objective of the program. Chairperson Koirala remembered the struggle of people for peace and constitution and the effective leadership of Girija Prasad Koirala on these movements. She requested all the senior leaders to find a way-out for the country.

As the country is still in transitional phase, she requested all the senior leaders to follow the path shown by Nepal’s political legend Girja Prasad Koirala, to move through the peace and constitution writing process and to provide a way-out for the nation.

Under Girija Prasad Koirala’s leadership the people’s movement was successful, constituent assembly election and declaration of republic were possible, however he has left the peace process and constitution writing process for us, she said.

GP Koirala took the leadership of people’s movement and also in brining the Maoists to peace process, thus he was not only a party leader but a national leader, she said. If other leaders could understand this reality and take lessons from it Nepal could be free from transition, she said.

Remembering the final moments GP Koirala and his request for consensus, co-operation and unity, Chairperson Koirala stressed about the pressure that political parties, civil society, activists and common people should create for the completion of peace process and constitution writing process.
She also cautioned that if Girija Prasad Koirala’s vision and interest, about implementing political road map and socio-economic programs to give a true essence of democracy to people, are not executed timely, Nepal’s federal democratic republic will not be free from danger.

Professor Dr. Kul Prasad Koirala presented a paper on Girija Prasad Koirala. He analyzed pre-peace process incidents, GP Koirala’s biography, GP Koirala as a national leader, Girija Prasad Koirala’s politics, Girija Prasad Koirala’s co-ordinating politcal role, Girija Prasad Koirala’s mediator role and other import roles taken by GP Koirala.

Commenting on the paper, Human Rights activists Subodh Pyakurel, said that Girija Prasad Koirala initiated the peace process and it’s still continuing. He said that Girijababu, who is the symbol of struggle, used to listen to everyone’s suggestions and take bold decision.

Likewise, UML’s senior leader KP Oli said GP Koirala is a ‘great leader’ of difficult times of Nepal’s history, from Rana regime to recent situation. Oli said he continues to remember GP Koirala’s leadership to tackle difficult problem’s in country’s difficult situation and big political change. He agreed on the points highlighted in the paper about GP Koirala’s life, contribution and qualities. The present leaders should focus on solving the present problems of the country, just like GP koirala used to do, Oli said. Oli also requested Maoists to stop their attempt to capture the state; instead he requested them to focus on the parliament.

Human Rights Activists Dammanath Dhungana said that Girijababu should be remembered from two sides. First: his long political history, second: the role he played in the establishment of democracy when democracy was attacked. He also expressed his concern about the Maoist combatant’s management process. He said it was supposed to be completed in the six months according to the peace accord. As the agreements aren’t implemented totally, the absence of Girijababu is felt, he said.

Professor Jibraj Pokhrel said Girijababu was successful because he accepted the change, adopted it and managed it.

Nepal Sadhbawana Party’s leader Anil Jha remembered Girijababu as determined leader. He said that Girijababu was a leader with courage and in his absence all the political parties and leaders have become destination less.

Nepali congress leader Ramesh Lekhak said that this program will work as an alarm to the polical parties. Girijababu is the architect who guided Nepal in the right direction from the rana regime to the present days. As Girijababu was leading a campaign, revolution and movement successfully and he had a great personality, it was then possible to declare republic from the constituent assembly, he said. Lekhak also highlighted that it was a great dead of GP Koirala to bring Maoists into peace process, however the peace process is in halt at the moment.

General Secretary of Nepali Congress Krishna Sitaula said Girijababu had a very clear and good converstation with the Maoist and he signed the 12 points agreement and he brought the Maoists in the peace process. Sitaula termed Girijabau as a courageous leader who even challenged the King. Though Girijababu worked continuously for the constitution making it hasn’t been possible now because of the self interest of the political parties, Sitaula said.

The special guest Madhavkumar Nepal said that they remember the former fighters as the country is moving in difficult times. Nepal said Maoists were not being honest to the peace process. He said Girijababu’s role is an example to the world. However he said the trust towards Prachanda wasnot fruitful. He said there are many challenges ahead in the peace process. The transitional phase shouldn’t be extended and all should work together to write the constitution in the stipulated time, he said.
President of Nepal Bar Association Prem Bahadur Khadka said that it was difficult for the civic society to create pressure because of the five point agreement. He requested Maoists to implement their words. He thanked everyone for participating.

Chunnisharan Yadav, general secretary of Nepal teachers union was the MC of the program.

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