Kathmandu: Thousands of mourners across
Nepal on Monday paid tribute to five-time former prime minister
and peace architect GP Koirala with the Nepali Congress party
announcing a 13-day mourning.
"The party will not organise any formal programme
during the 13 day mourning period," said Nepali Congress
general secretary Bimalendra Nidhi.
The party's flag will fly at half mast for 13 days.
On April 1, a grand condolence meeting will be
organised in the capital in memory of Koirala, Nidhi said.
Condolence books have been opened at district level
for those wishing to express their condolence, he added.
The party plans to sprinkle the ashes of the departed
leader in the country's rivers.
The former Premier had played a pivotal role in the
2006 peace process facilitating Nepal's transition to
democracy and bringing Maoists to the mainstream politics.
Koirala was instrumental in the signing of the
12-point agreement between the then Maoist rebels and seven
political parties in November 2005 in New Delhi, which was
aimed at toppling monarchy and restoring democracy in the
country.
After this, Maoists joined the mainstream politics in
2006, ending the decade-long armed conflict that left 16,000
people dead.
Born in 1925 in Bihar, Koirala became Prime Minister
for the first time in 1991 after his Nepali Congress party
secured majority in the 205-member House of Representatives.
PTI
First Published: Monday, March 22, 2010, 20:14