THT 10 years ago: It is everybody’s victory, says Koirala

Kathmandu, November 8, 2006

Terming the agreement between the seven-party alliance (SPA) and the Maoists as the “beginning of a revolutionary development” and “everybody’s victory,” Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today urged all sections of society to move ahead with “extreme caution”.

“There could be efforts by some unwanted elements to scuttle the peace process. I, therefore, urge all Nepalis to be extremely cautious and move ahead with utmost patience,” Koirala told partymen and the media at his official residence at Baluwatar.

Koirala said he had a desire to see an indepedent, sovereign and prosperous Nepal, the making of which has begun with the signing of the agreement with the Maoists.

“No body has lost, this is the people’s victory and nobody shoud be upset with this development,” Koirala said. The Prime Minister, flanked by party central committee members, also appreciated efforts made by political parties and the Maoists in making the talks a success.

He said he believed from the very beginning that only dialogue would resolve the crisis. “The language of guns will lead us nowhere,” he said, lauding the SPA for giving him the mandate and the responsibility to establish loktantra in the country.

Later in the afternoon, Koirala lauded his party and party workers for their contribution in making the peace talks a success.

He also asked them to visit the districts and villages with programmes aimed at preparing for constituent assembly elections.

I’m proud of my verdict, says outgoing SC judge

Supreme Court Judge Badri Kumar Basnet, one of the four apex court judges whohad removed the Mahalaxmi Sugar Mill from the list of bank defaulters, said today that he was proud of his verdict on the case. He retired from his job today due to age bar.

The SC organised a function to bid him farewell. The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had recommended the House of Representatives to impeach him.

Arjun Prasad Singh, another judge involved in controversy, retired four months ago. Justice Kedar Prasad Giri and Top Bahadur Magar had upheld the initial verdict passed by Singh and Basnet.

Chief Justice Dilip Kumar Paudel, other justices and court officials attended the farewell programme.

“Nobody had pointed out figure at me during my 39-year-long service in the Judiciary, but I faced such a bitter experience prior to my retirement,” he said, adding: “I am proud of my verdict.”

Stating that he contributed for the promotion and protection of human rights while in office, Basnet accused the mediapersons and lawyers of dragging him into controversy.

Talking to this daily, he said: “It is not the profession of lawyers to provoke PAC to review Supreme Court verdicts,” he added.