GP Koirala remembered as labour rights activist and political transformer

Pabitra Guragain Nepal Press Union (NPU) on Monday marked the centenary of the late Girija Prasad Koirala remembering his contribution significantly to the labour rights movement and the political transformation in the country.

Speaking at a symposium on ‘Labour rights and Girija Prasad Koirala in memory’ organised by the NPU central committee, former Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dr Minendra Rijal, remembered the late leader as a labour rights activist who led the Biratngar Jute Mill Strike in 1947 movement, the historic labour rights movement in the country. “The same movement laid a foundation for democracy in Nepal.” As Rijal said, Koirala was a personality who could rise and take a step ahead after every fall, pressing ahead for goals. Describing him as a ‘towering’ personality of Nepali politics, Dr Rijal said leader Koirala practiced the politics of faith and dedication with due respect to rule of law. Dr Rijal who had spent many years in companionship of Koirala said “He was never seen indolent during his political career. He was hard-working, a person with zeal and was industrious. He would believe that the strength of any political party lies on the people.”

Leader Koirala is the initiator of a political order in the country, according to Rijal who took time to say that the NC’s existing political coalition was the continuity of its partnership with the 12 –point agreement, for meeting the spirit of the Constitution and for taking a historic political paradigm shift to the destination and this should be understood accordingly.

Giving his remarks about leader Koirala, senior journalist Jagat Nepal said during his long professional relations with leader Koirala he found him to be a person who never knew to take a ‘back gear’ in his political life.

The journalist added that the leader would put his words into action and never speak on any issue without preparation. “This culture is largely missing in the political sphere these days.”

House of Representatives (HoR) member Udaya Shumsher JB Rana said “Girija Prasad Koirala is the major actor in the country's republic journey and a trade union activist. Country’s existing economic scenario would be something different or even worse if the country did not switch to an economic liberalization after the 1990 movement.”

Journalist Saloja Dahal said leader Koirala was highly acknowledged for his role in managing the internal conflict and initiating the historic peace process.

NPU central president Shiba Lamsal presided over the programme.