Who to lead Nepal after Koirala's six decades of politics?

Girija Prasad Koirala, the leading figure of Nepal's democratic movement, has been elected the Prime Minister of Nepal unanimously from the interim Parliament. This is the sixth time.

Koirala Prime Minister Koirala was born in 1925 in Tediya of Saharsa district in India while his father Krishna Prasad Koirala was in exile.

GP Koirala has been active in the democratic movement of Nepal for more than six decades. He was the commander of last year democratic movement. Koirala, who is also the President of Nepali Congress, was appointed Prime Minister of the Interim Government by the Parliament Sunday as per a political consensus in accordance with the Interim Constitution.

He had also been collectively elected the Prime Minister of the Government constituted under the leadership of the Seven Party Alliance following the success of the historical movement last year.

Koirala has become successful to bring the Maoist Party who was indulging in the decade-long bloody conflict for capturing state power to establish one party communist rule to a political mainstream for competitive multiparty politics.

Prior to this, Koirala had become the first elected Prime Minister following restoration of democracy in 1990 and served as Prime Minister many times.

Koirala is the youngest son of renowned social worker of Nepal, Krishna Prasad Koirala. His two brothers Matrika Prasad Koirala and BP Koirala have also served as the Prime Minister of Nepal.

Prime Minister Koirala, was attracted to politics in an early age due to political environment in the Koirala family and with the inspiration of BP Koirala who was considered as the most popular and the charismatic leader of Nepal.

Koirala led the historical Biratnagar Jute Mills strike held in Falgun 20, 2003 B.S. and was later unanimously elected President of Biratnagar labour union. He is also the founder member and President of Nepal Trade Union Congress.

Following the dissolution of parliamentary system in 2017 B.S. Koirala along with then Prime Minister BP Koirala, NC leaders Ganesh Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai were imprisoned. He served a seven-year jail sentence before being released following a 21-day hunger strike in 2024 B.S.

Popularly known as 'Girijababu', Koirala was a source of inspiration for thousands of revolutionaries dedicated to the long struggle against the autocratic king’s direct rule.

A skilled organizer, Koirala along with other congress leaders served many jail sentences and house arrest during the struggle for restoration of democracy in Nepal.

Koirala played a decisive role in all struggles such as "satyagraha"(peaceful movement) of 1985 and the historical popular movement of 1990.

He has been continuously elected member of parliament from Constituencies 1 and 5 of Morang district in the General Elections-2048 B.S., mid-term elections in 2051 B.S. and general elections in 2056 B.S.

GP Koirala’s mission to transform Nepal in a full-fledged democracy with the participation of all seems heading towards its goal. After the formation of the interim government including the Maoists, Nepal has crossed a great leap forward in the process of Peace and Democracy. However, there are still a lot of challenges ahead.

Majority of the people in Nepal believe that in the able leadership of GP Koirala country will achieve its stipulated objectives. But at the same time people fear about his aging body and ill health. At this juncture and the dire time of the nation everybody in Nepal wishes for Koirala’s long life and sound health.

Continuation of Koirala’s leadership is necessary for the country for some years to come for the logical conclusion of all the political questions that has come in Nepal for centuries.

Although the people of Nepal do not want to discuss on whom to lead the country after Koirala right at this time, but is not this the right time for this discussion? Nobody can predict the health of an aging leader. The effort of Koirala should not go in vain. If his direct leadership interrupts because of his ill health his legacy is a must.

Therefore Nepali congress cadres must be very smart to elect one who can succeed GP Koirala and lead the country with a full legitimate legacy of Girijababu. There can be many leaders who would claim to continue the legacy of GP but among many one has to be elected who knows him from in and out and can carry out his mission without any interruption.

Who can be this? Can we name a few? Can we start this debate now? Is it necessary that someone should be out from the Koirala family? Can someone from the family be acceptable? Who can be ones from out and in the family? What are the positive points of the entire aspirants?