GAIGHAT: Sixty-two-year-old Dhan Bahadur Thapa of Gaighat had given shelter to Girija Prasad Koirala 21 years ago when the political parties were banned in Nepal and talking to or giving shelter to anyone affiliated to any political party was considered a crime.

Thapa had fed Koirala in his home at a time when no one dared even to give him a glass of water.

On hearing the news of Koirala's demise, Thapa is deeply saddened.

He cried bitterly when he learnt that Koirala had passed away and has not even taken food from that moment. Recalling the incident with Koirala, Thapa said, "Even the police team led by an inspector had come to arrest Koirala when he was drinking tea. But Koirala refused to go with them asking them for a warrant. The police then went back."

Thapa said, "Our nation may not have such a brave leader again," adding, "He was not only the leader of Nepali Congress but also a great leader of South Asia."

Thapa also said that all the political parties should work towards fulfiling the wishes of Koirala who had completed Herculean tasks of abolishing the monarchy and holding constituent assembly elections.