Kathmandu : Politicians, diplomats and thousands of supporters lined up for hours at a public stadium yesterday in Nepal's capital to pay respect to Girija Prasad Koirala, the former prime minister remembered for leading efforts to bring democracy to the Himalayan nation.
Koirala died on Saturday aged 86. His body was taken to the Nepali Congress party headquarters before it arrived at the stadium in Kathmandu on a truck covered with flowers and the party's red and white flags.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal laid the national flag over the body.
"His contributions and fight for democracy will always be remembered in history. He was the pillar in the battle against autocracy in Nepal," Nepal said.
Ministers, top politicians, officials and diplomats offered bouquets. Supporters numbering thousands lined up for hours to pay their homage.
"I am more sad today than the day I lost my parents. I have always remembered him as a fighter of democracy and he will remain the father of democracy," said Kamala Sharma, 65, who was among those in line.Koirala had heart and respiratory problems and had been hospitalised several times in recent months. He died at his daughter's home.
Koirala — who served five terms as prime minister — was president of the Nepali Congress party and led the mass street demonstrations in 2006 that forced then-King Gyanendra to give up his authoritarian rule, reinstate parliament and appoint Koirala as caretaker prime minister. Soon after that, Koirala's government stripped Gyanendra of all his powers and command of the army.
Gyanendra was dethroned and the centuries-old monarchy abolished in May 2008. Soon after that Koirala stepped down as prime minister to allow a new coalition government led by former communist rebels to take power.
