Former Nepal PM Sushil Koirala no more

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday condoled the demise of Nepal’s former prime minister Sushil Koirala, saying that his contribution to fostering Indo-Nepal ties will always be remembered.

Koirala’s doctor, Karbir Nath Yogi, said on Tuesday that the 76-year-old died due to complications from pneumonia and respiratory failure.

Koirala was a key figure in adoption of Nepal’s new constitution last September with overwhelming support in the Constitution Assembly.

Others said his death presented a succession problem for the Koirala dynasty. He had stopped being the prime minister on September 20, in accordance with a provision of the new constitution.

“More crucial will be who will carry the legacy of the Koirala dynasty that has produced four prime ministers in the past and dominated the Nepali Congress party in the past six decades”, said Yubaraj Ghimire, editor of the Annapurna Post daily. He had then lost the re-election bid to KP Oli.

A Cabinet meeting held this morning made the decision to that effect. Nepal government is going to pick up the special ceremony for the ex PM.

Born in Banaras, India, Koirala entered politics in 1954 and was in political exile in India for 16 years following the royal takeover of 1960.

Koirala also spent three years in Indian prisons for his involvement in a plane hijacking in 1973.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress postponed its electoral process prior to the General Convention, General Secretary Prakas Man Singh said.