Koirala´s death has left vacant an elevated spot at the center of Nepali politics. There is no one at the moment to occupy that spot. Now, there is a dearth of a person who was sought for resolving crises and sealing agreements. Koirala´s death has created a vacuum in Nepal´s politics.
Koirala was a decisive figure in Nepali politics for the past 17 years. He was a clever player of power politics. His desire as well as ability to be at the nucleus of power enabled him to remain the most powerful figure in the Nepali Congress party for over one-and-a-half decades. During that period, he also established himself as the most important and decisive figure in Nepal´s politics.
The past 15 years saw major upheavals in Nepali politics and society. It was in this period that Nepal´s political parties were engaged in tussles with the king on the one hand and the Maoists on the other. Koirala took a variety of avatars during this period - sometimes as the head of government, and sometimes as leader of street protests.
Without his support, it would have been difficult for Nepal´s leftist parties to abolish monarchy, though his support was a result of his presidential ambitions. Though Maoist betrayal defeated this ambition, Koirala nonetheless assumed the role of head of state during a transition period after the monarchy was abolished.
Koirala single-handedly led Nepali Congress party until his death. In the last days of his life, Nepali Congress leaders increasingly disagreed with him. But none showed the courage defy his orders. Koirala managed to be at the center of Nepali politics until he breathed his last. His ability to remain at the center of political power cannot be seen in any other political leaders at the moment.
The right stands that political leaders take elevates them and establishes them. Koirala´s unshakeable stand in favor the reinstatement of parliament and the victory of that stand strongly established him in Nepali politics. He earned the image of an important leader of pro-democracy movement. What I liked most about Koirala was his stand. Had he strayed from his stand, the parliament would never have been reinstated. And had the House not been reinstated, the politics of that point in Nepalese history would never
have safe landed.
Koirala became prime minister five times. His tenures at the helm were not remarkable in terms of good governance. But his role as a democratic campaigner was always remarkable.
Koirala was an important figure in the initiative to bring Maoists to mainstream politics and resolve the Maoist conflict. The peace process is incomplete, and there are hurdles in constitution-drafting. Koirala was the right person to play the role of a facilitator to bring back momentum to these tasks. It was expected that the High Level Political Mechanism (HLPM) he headed would play a role to clear the hurdles, and forge agreements. With his death, the HLPM has been rendered incomplete and useless.
The virtues of experience, energy, determination and self-confidence that he earned during his long career and repeated stints as prime minister added a glamorous aura to his personality.
Owing to his age, he was respected by leaders of other political parties as well. His seniority, experience and acceptability made him able to persuade leaders of other political parties to accept proposals that were sometimes unacceptable. He could be the source of disputes, while at the same time assume the role of a referee to resolve the dispute. And still, he was accepted by other parties.
Koirala´s death at this critical juncture in Nepali politics has left us without a figure acceptable to all as a referee. His death has also left a vacuum in the Nepali Congress party, that lacks a commanding and determined leader like him.
Koirala faced charges of nepotism in recent times. The charge wasn´t without reason, and it brought him criticism from the political circles as well as the media.
However, the last six to seven years of his active political life were also a period of political achievements. The 2006 movement elevated him from a leader of Nepali Congress to the leader of pro-democracy movement within and outside the country.
Despite his failings and related criticisms, very few political leaders enjoy the acceptance and respect that he enjoyed.
Koirala´s presidential ambitions remained unfulfilled. It wasn´t unreasonable for him to seek presidency after the abolition of monarchy. He was a natural claimant to the position. Despite being betrayed by the Maoists, Koirala stressed that the peace process must be concluded by taking the Maoists into confidence.
In Koirala´s absence, political leaders will miss the place where they would go to share their grievances and seek outlets. Koirala has the ability to persuade leaders ranging from Amik Sherchan and Narayan Man Bijukchhe to Surya Bahadur Thapa and Pashupati Shumshere Rana. No one else has such ability. And no one looks likely to climb to the spot
that Koirala reached, at least in the next few years.
With a departure comes emptiness. That emptiness creates challenges, uncertainty, as well as opportunity.
Despite causing Ganesh Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai abandon active politics and being held as the primary reason for the vertical split of Nepali Congress party, he was the source of unity in the party in his final years.
Now the responsibility of keeping the party united and taking it forward has fallen squarely on the shoulders of Sher Bahadur Deuba, Sushil Koirala and Ram Chandra Poudel. Will the trio be able to plant new hope and conviction in the party?
In his final months, Koirala was a cushion preventing a headlong collision between the government and the Maoists. With him gone, the government and the Maoists are now face to face.
The Maoists no longer have the option of reaching Maharajgunj to issue threats to the government. And the government must directly convince the Maoists now.
Koirala has left many challenges and opportunities. The political parties must deal with the challenges and exploit the opportunities for peace, constitution and consensus.
Koirala will remain an unforgettable player of a tumultuous phase in Nepal´s history. It is too early to assess how positive or negative role he played. Nothing assesses better than time.
We have lost a tireless, combative and tall political leader.
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