KATHMANDU, AUGUST 21

"All lawmakers used to wait patiently for leader Pradip Giri's turn to speak so that they could listen to his riveting speech in the Parliament meeting. He was a popular leader who had a deep knowledge of Marxism."

Former chairperson of the Constituent Assembly Subash Chandra Nembang had made this observation when he reached the NC Central Office, Sanepa, today to pay tribute to late Giri. Also the deputy leader of the CPN- UML parliamentary party, Nembang reminded that Giri was a studious and inspiring leader of contemporary politics.

He further said when the late Giri was scheduled to speak in the Parliament meeting, the Parliament gallery used to be full of lawmakers.

Late Giri left good impression on people from different walks of life as he was considered a politician of staid demeanour, honesty and ideals.

Former chairperson of the Council of Ministers Khilraj Regmi remembered late Giri as a voracious reader, politician of integrity and an erudite figure. "A political thinker and critic, Giri was capable of teaching socialism to the socialists," Regmi added. Regmi also mentioned that the late Giri was a leader who always advocated politics to elevate the lifestyle of common people.

Similarly, former deputy speaker Purna Kumari Subedi said Nepali politics had lost an eminent person. "Lawmakers strolling outside the gallery used to gather quickly to listen to the late Giri's speech during the Parliament meeting. We cannot forget him at all," Subedi, a leader of CPN- Maoist Centre, shared, adding, "The revolutionary change in the state feels his need."

Karnali Province President of Nepali Congress and former minister Bir Bahadur Balayar remembered late Giri as an ardent implementer of BP Koirala's thoughts. "Once the party is taken ahead in a way the late Giri advocated, it will be beneficial both for the party and the country," he underlined.

NC leader Shekhar Koirala viewed that leader Giri had established the identity of an ideologue and interpreter of democratic socialism. "His demise is an irreparable loss to the Nepali Congress and the entire country."

Moreover, NC Spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat recounted that late Giri was a straightforward speaker. "He was a versatile figure in Nepali society," he opined.

Giri, who had been suffering from throat cancer for quite a while, passed away last night at the age of 75. He died in the course of treatment at Lalitpur-based Mediciti Hospital.

Soon after the announcement of his passing away, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and top leaders of the ruling and opposition parties began offering tributes to him. The party cadres, well wishers and commoners took to social media to pay tribute and extend condolence messages. They also reached the hospital, party office and Pashupati Aryaghat to pay tributes to the departed soul.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 22, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.