Koirala plans Delhi visit

Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala is planning to pay a visit to the Capital on June 4, his nephew, Shekhar Koirala, told Express ...

Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala is planning to pay a visit to the Capital on June 4, his nephew, Shekhar Koirala, told Express this evening.

The stated purpose of the visit is a medical check-up. However, Shekhar said that the former Nepalese Prime Minister would also make use of the opportunity to meet the Indian leaders. It would be the first time when the Indian authorities would get a direct perspective from the recognised political leadership of Nepal.

Though King Gyanendra has lifted the emergency, it’s not yet certain whether the Nepalese authorities will permit Koirala board Indian Airlines’ afternoon flight to India on June 4. This would thus become a test case of the restoration of civil liberties in the Himalayan kingdom. Koirala, who had been under arrest at the Kathmandu residence of a cousin, Shashank Koirala eversince the royal coup of February 1, was freed on April 1. At least three prominent figures — Lokraj Baral, Krishna Hatechu and journalist, Kanak Mani Dixit — have been recently turned back from Kathmandu airport by the authorities.

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Koirala, 82, heads Nepali Congress, the largest political party of Nepal. Thrice the prime minister of Nepal, he is the younger brother of late B.P. Koirala, also a former prime minister.

Though the seven political parties currently struggling for the restoration of democracy have not yet formally elected any leader, Koirala has emerged as their key voice due to his stature, long political career and a consistent opposition to the dissolution of the Rashtriya Panchayat since 2002.