Since 1950, political leaders who at some point in history resided in Biratnagar have been influential in Nepali politics. The three Koirala siblings, Manmohan Adhikari, and Surya Bahadur Thapa started their political careers from Morang district. [break]
“With Koirala gone, I worry about the fate of the High Level Political Mechanism that was constituted to bring back to track the wrong-headed politics,” said Shyam Ghimire, Koirala´s childhood buddy.
“When he was here in last Tihar, I asked him what he would do about the political gridlock. He said everything would be fine after forming the mechanism,” Ghimire added.
Tarendra Man Singh, who is close to the Koirala family, said Nepali politics has hit uncertainty with Koirala´s demise. “Not just the Nepali Congress party, the whole country has lost its guardian,” he said.
Mahesh Jaju, president of Morang Chamber of Commerce, said Koirala´s death has orphaned all industrialists and businessmen of the eastern region. “He listened to the problems faced by industrialists and businessmen with seriousness. We no longer have a leader who listens to us,” he added.
Biratnagar was totally shut down on Sunday to mourn Koirala´s demise. The markets were closed and the streets were empty. A large number of people left the city for Kathmandu to attend Koirala´s funeral.
A large number of people also thronged Koirala´s residence in Biratnagar to condole his death. Dozens shaved off their heads in a mass shaving event organized by Tarun Dal and Nepal Students´ Union.
Tempo operators took out a rally to mourn Koirala´s demise. “We are saddened because Koirala was also the leader of workers,” said Santosh Rajbanshi, a tempo driver.
Koirala´s portraits have put up at several places in the city. Residents offered their condolences to the portraits.
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