Sushil Koirala’s death poses potential problems for minorities in Nepal

Kathmandu, Feb 9: Former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, who breathed his last in the wee hours of Tuesday, will have an adverse impact on minorities attempt to gain greater rights in new constitution in Nepal.

He died soon after five month old economic blockade in Nepal ended on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Sushil Koirala, he took Twitter to express his grief over death of Koirala.
Koirala who was elected Prime Minister of Nepal on February 10, 2014 and a devoted member of the Nepali Congress party, presided over the promulgation of the new constitution in Nepal which raised dissatisfaction among minority Madhesis in Nepal, also played attempted to resolve the issue by negotiating with the protesters.

Turmoil erupted in Nepal after inaction of Nepal's new constitution in September. Madhesi, representing people living in Nepal's southern plains bordering India, launched the strike in September to force Nepal's major political parties to amend the new charter for better representation under the new constitution.

They alleged that the new constitution did not address their desire for a greater say in government.

The blockade had caused much hardship to the general public as they were faced with acute shortage of petroleum products, cooking gas, medicines and other essentials due to closure of all border trade points between the two countries.

Clashes linked to the protests have resulted in the deaths of over 50 people.

Koirala elected Prime Minister of Nepal on February 10, 2014, once spent three years in an Indian prison for his involvement in the hijacking of a Nepali plane during the democracy struggle of the 1970s.

"Koirala's death would not derail talks aimed at securing greater rights for minorities," said Laxman Lal Karna, from the Sadbhavana Party, reported the Economic Times.

His tenure as prime minister ended after the first election under the new constitution of Nepal was held in October 2015. New elections brought Kharga Prasad Oli as the next Prime Minister.

Koirala, fondly called as "Sushilda" born in India was a suitably trustworthy channel to speak to the angry opposition led by the Madhesi protesters. Now its time to wait and watch what will be the course of the Nepal to tackle the Madhesis as it has lost a key speaker who negotiated with protesting Madhesis.