Pokhara, March 20: Various speakers at an interaction organized to mark the sixth memorial day of Girija Prasad Koirala have highlighted Koirala as a towering personality of contemporary Nepali politics.

At the programme organized here on Sunday by Nepal Press Union (NPU) Kaski Chapter, the speakers shed light on the political odyssey of the late Koirala who forayed into active politics from Labour Movement in 1947 (2003 BS) and gained popularity as a statesman when he ushered the country to republic by bringing together all divergent political ideologies.

Nepali Congress leader and lawmaker Sharada Poudel said it was Girija Prasad Koirala's immense contributions that took ahead the country to the path of Federal Democratic Republic.

Likewise, NC Kaski President Krishna KC said the late Koirala was successful to establish his name as a popular national leader for providing consistent leadership to democratic movements of Nepal.

NPU general secretary Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti pointed out the need to follow the path of consensus, collaboration and unity shown by the late GP Koirala in institutionalizing achievements of 2006 April Uprising.

Also speaking on the occasion, NPU vice-chairperson Ramesh Poudel said Nepal would not have been declared republic had GP Koirala not taken the initiative for change.

Board member of Rastriya Samachar Samiti Gangadhar Parajuli said Nepal could take leap forward in the movement for change with the GPK's dashing personality to bring together the two differing political views.

Also speaking at the programme presided over by NPU Kaski chapter president were Kaski chapter secretary of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Tribhuvan Poudel, Raj Bahadur Gurung and Prakash Chandra Sapkota. RSS