BP Koirala is my political inspiration: NC President Deuba

 Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba today said first elected Prime Minister and people's leader BP Koirala was his political inspiration.

At an inaugural ceremony of the three-day 'BP Literature Festival' organized here by the NC, he regarded Koirala, also founder member of the NC, as a multi-dimensional personality. "He (Koirala) was an inspiring and exemplary thinker in the political sphere. He is also regarded as an immortal figure in literature even today. We have pursued the path shown by his political thoughts."

Saying efforts are on to prosper the country based on his thoughts, the former Prime Minister said all political parties have not only been attracted to his thoughts but they are also following them.

He expressed the hope that the Festival would distribute knowledge on an array of activities including political thoughts propounded by BP, his literary works, his struggle and social, economic, religious and cultural aspects, to the young generation.

"BP was a high ranking leader and a famous litterateur who believed in simplicity. When we met him, he would ask us to become a good person. He deeply read Marx and Gandhi. He would consider Gandhi's thought relevant when it comes to love, peace, non-violence and democracy. He would relate to Marx when it comes to economic equality."

Now, the NC has adhered to the multiparty governance system and the democratic socialist economic system as its principle and ideology, he said.

"BP was not only a national level leader but was famous at the international level as well. He was a political thinker and a litterateur. We would speak up against all sorts of discriminations. He fought for inclusion, justice, equality and freedom for people, and he stood firm for nationality, democracy and socialism," he said.

The Nepali Congress (NC) has hoisted the Festival, 2080 BS commemorating the 110th birth anniversary of the NC founding leader BP Koirala.

The event kicked off today at 9:00 am at the NC central office, Sanepa of Lalitpur.

Organised in collaboration with various other organisations including the Nepal Writers' Association, a poetry symposium, gazhal recitations, musical performances, an art exhibition, documentary screenings and a photo exhibition are among the attractions of the festival, said Min Bahadur Bishwokarma, chief of the Information, Communications and Publicity Department of the NC. The opening session of the festival witnessed the screening of a documentary titled "Hijacking for Democracy."

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