Condolences pour in

KATHMANDU, March 5: The president, prime minister, political parties, professional organizations and the UK have expressed condolence over the death of former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai who passed away on Friday night.



President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, in his condolence message, said he is saddened by the death of Bhattarai, who was a founder member of the Nepali Congress.[break]



Issuing a condolence message on Saturday, President Dr Yadav said late statesman Bhattarai was an indomitable leader who never compromised on principles and norms, RSS reported.



"He was a guardian of democracy,” read the message, adding that he remained an apostle of non-violence and sacrifice during his seven-decade-long political career.



“Kishunji´s clean image and patriotism has set an example for succeeding leaders,” said the president, who was a cabinet member in the Bhattarai-led interim government in 1990.



Similarly, in a separate condolence message, Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal expressed deep sorrow over the death of Bhattarai whom he described as “a towering figure of Nepali democratic movement, and the country´s first speaker”.



Khanal, who was a minister in the interim government led by Bhattarai in 1990, further elaborated on Bhattarai´s contribution to the country and the people, “Nepal and the Nepali people must be grateful to him for his sacrifice and struggle-ridden political life."



Similarly, the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist), Socialist Political Party, Nepal Communist Party (United), Sadbhawana Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Nepal) expressed their sincere condolence over Bhattarai´s death.



Nepal Bar Association (NBA), in a condolence message, said that the supporters of nationalism, democracy and peace have lost their guardian. Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) lauded him for his contribution to the development of journalism. FNJ has decided to close down its central office for three days -- Sunday, Monday and Tuesday -- to mourn the death of Bhattarai, who was once the president of then Association of Nepali Journalists.



The UK has also expressed its condolence over the death of Bhattarai. In a statement, British Ambassador John Tucknott said, “As an activist and as prime minister, Mr Bhattarai long served the cause of democracy in Nepal."

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