Sushil Koirala, former Prime Minister of Nepal, passed away at the age of 78. In a state of turmoil in the country, he represented the central platform as did his party, the Nepali Congress, advocating a balance between consensus and negotiation on the one hand and agitation, particularly mounted by Maoists, on the other. He did his best to steer through the troubled times which Nepal experienced for years. As Prime Minister, he fought for a basic structure of the Constitution. It was the drafting the Constitution and its adoption in Parliament which prolonged itself over many a hurdle. He finally got it passed in Parliament last year. Another obstacle was that the people of the Terai/Madhes region protested vehemently against the Constitution which they thought was weighted against them and created an economic blockade at the India-Nepal border. It also led to a marked deterioration in relations between India and Nepal. Koirala initiated a dialogue between Nepalis and Madhesis before he was replaced by K.P Oli in October. Finally, the Constitution was amended to meet the grievances of the Madhesis.
Koirala’s death coincided with the end of the border blockade. Like other members of his family, the Nepali Congress leader had close links with India. He was considered an obvious successor to the Prime Minister’s post in Nepal after years of struggle against the monarchy and the victory of the Nepali Congress in the 2013 elections. He wanted to hold the post for another term and as a result became a mere faction leader. He went into inaction but his role in promoting relations between India and Nepal in the face of Maoists ascendancy in Kathmandu will be remembered with gratitude.