The interaction program started with a welcome speech by Dr. Ram Thapaliya, Associate Prof. of the School of Law and Diplomacy /Tuft University, USA. He regarded GP Koirala a dynamic personality in Nepalese political history who was able to handle a chaotic situation during the period of violence. He played an initiative role for national unity, peace process, and he was a source of inspiration and enhanced democracy, and changed Nepal into a Republic Nation.
The Interaction Moderator of the program and former Ambassador Dr. Shambhu Ram Shimkhada recalled Girija Prasad Koirala’s contribution, commitment and vision. The Nepalese peace process is lacking GP’s presence and vision in the current transitional phase and critical political scenario. He admired him as a bold leader and hero who became the center of national politics.
Mrs. Chanda Chaudhary from Terai Madesh Loktantrik Party-TMLP reminded of the efforts and sacrifices made by Girija Prasad Koirala to establish peace, democracy and a new Nepal. After the death of GP, Nepali politics became directionless. In the same way, Jiterndra Dev from the Madhesi Morcha asserted that GP is the architect of the Nepalese peace process and the twelve point comprehensive peace agreement.
The CPN-Maoist speaker and leader Pampha Bhusal remarked that the peace process is not only the dissolvment of the people’s liberation army. The political, social and economic issues raised by the Maoist movement have not been addressed till now. Adressing the poor and marginalized peoples needs are also remaining incomplete. The current political deadlock is the result of a lack of consensus, vision and commitment of the major political parties and the failure of CA should be reviewed. Especially the non-democratic practice imposed by the four major parties which ignored other parties are responsible for it. The current political deadlock is due to the failure of the major four parties leadership. If all the political parties are not given equal opportunity and importance, there will not be a logical ending of the peace process.
Mrs. Hisila Yami from United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) – UCPNM remarked that the peace process initiated by GP Koirala and Prachanda is in its concluding stage, however, GPs absence has been realized by all of us in such a chaotic political scenario. It was a compulsion to form the election government in the Chief Justice’s leadership and to hold new constituent assembly election as soon as possible. She suggested all the agitating parties to be involved in the election process and they should enhance democracy and the peace process through a new constitution.
Mr. Bishnu Paudyal-CPN UML, furthermore, remarked that the main problem regarding the peace process is the political parties unability to institutionalize the achievements of the second democratic movement.
Dr. Ramsharan Mahat from Nepali Congress asserted that due to the crisis of visionary leadership the dead constituent assembly could not formulate a new constitution within a period of four years. But that it can be considered as great achievement that the Maoist have accepted the multiparty system and democracy.
Mr. Daman Nath Dhungana, former speaker of the parliament said that if there had not been GPs leadership in the peace process, the nation would be in the stage of turmoil, war and tyranny still. Though there is a little progress in the peace process, the existing republican system is handicapped because there is no peoples’ representative institution, i.e. parliament.
The concluding speech by Chairperson of the program Hon. Sujata Koirala revealed GP’s other dimension. According to her more than a political leader he was a wise and living spirit with sensitive humanity. The main problem is to forget and ignore GP’s vision and dream by Nepali Congress leaders and politicians; all politicians have been lured by the prime minister’s post and power. She suggested the major leaders to follow GP’s vision, ideology and dream along with treating all the small parties equally. She finally urged to build up national consensus through listening and respecting the opinions and voices of all. For the logical ending of peace process and democracy, fair and unbiased constituent assembly elections must be guaranteed by the government she added.