KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 9

President Ramchandra Paudel expressed concern that, despite significant political achievements, the leadership has failed to meet public expectations due to a decline in ideal politics.

Speaking at a programme organized by the BP Trust to mark BP Memorial Day at the Office of the President on Monday, President Paudel stated, 'Politics is a tool to serve the people, not an end. I am concerned that power is increasingly seen as an end in itself, while ideal politics is being neglected.'

Reflecting on the legacy of BP Koirala, the country's first elected Prime Minister, Paudel argued that Koirala could have remained in power indefinitely had he compromised his political principles. However, the President noted that BP Koirala never deviated from his ideals, always placing national and public interests above personal gain, serving as a model of ideal politics.

Born on Bhadra 24, 1971 BS, Koirala passed away on Saun 6, 2039 BS. As the founder of the Nepali Congress, he championed the principles of nationalism, democracy, socialism, and national reconciliation.

President Paudel highlighted the continued relevance of Koirala's vision of state welfare and economic prosperity through democratic socialism.

He endorsed BP's belief that democratic governance and social justice were essential for national development. Paudel also praised BP's clear vision that all Nepali families could achieve middle-class status within 15 years through increased production, equitable distribution, and social justice.

Moreover, the President emphasized the importance of national unity and reconciliation in addressing the country's challenges, noting that these principles had been instrumental in achieving a federal democratic republic.

At the event, President Paudel awarded poet Dwarika Shrestha with Rs 100,000 and freedom fighter Bhojraj Bhandari with Rs 51,000.

The awards were distributed by the Jananayak BP Koirala Memorial Trust, also known as the BP Trust.