HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: Final rites of Krishna Prasad Bhattarai were performed today with full state honours at Pashupati Aryaghat in the presence of thousands of supporters, general public, leaders of political parties and government officials.
His nephew Pramod Bhattarai lit the pyre at 4:55 pm as a squad of Nepali Army boomed 13-gun salute in honour of the veteran leader.
As per Hindu rituals, nephews Binod and Pramod, Amita Kapali and Sarat Singh Bhandari performed the last rites. Kapali had been serving him for around 20 years.
Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala, senior leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, Parliamentary Party leader Ramchandra Paudel placed the party flag on his body. General Secretary Prakash Man Singh and other Congress workers paid last tributes.
According to Congress leader Dip Kumar Upadhaya, Pramod Bhattarai, son of Kishunji’s elder brother Gopal Prasad Bhattarai, would observe the 13-day rituals at the Ashram in Badegaun.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, after paying final tribute, said, “Kishunji was a spiritual person and was never lured by personal benefits. What all the leaders should learn from him is his morality and discipline.”
Unified CPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal termed Bhattarai a dear leader of all Nepali people.
“As there is a drought of
value-based politics in Nepal, we should learn a lesson
from Bhattarai’s sacrifice and dedication.”
Sushil Koirala said, “Congress has lost all first generation leaders with the demise of Kishunji. He sacrificed his life for democracy and people’s rights. It is our duty to cement the democracy established by NC’s four pillars – BP Koirala, Ganesh Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and Girija Prasad Koirala.”
“We must not forget suffering, simplicity, honesty
and dedication for the betterment of the country, which remained the basic traits of Kishunji,” Koirala said promising NC would follow those ideals.
Earlier, thousands of people flocked to Dasharath Stadium to pay last respects to the former prime minister.
His body was taken to NC party office, Sanepa, from Badegaun, before being carried it to the stadium, where it was kept from 8 am to 2 pm for the public to pay tributes.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, CA Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang, Chief Justice Ram Prasad Shrestha, ministers, UCPN-Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sushil Koirala, leaders of political parties, CA members, chiefs of constitutional bodies, intellectuals, artists and business leaders thronged the stadium to pay floral tributes to the veteran leader. PM draped Bhattarai’s body with national flag.
The public braved the scorching sun and stood patiently in the queue to bid final adieu to Bhattarai. Some had been moved to tears, while others were struggling to fight back tears.
“He was a true leader of
the country for value-based politics,” said Madhav Thapa (56) of Ramechhap, who came to Kathmandu to pay last respects.
Janaki Aryal (39) of Dhading appealed to political parties to learn from Bhattarai’s sacrifice and moral principles.
Thousands of mourners packed the streets as the hearse was driven towards Aryaghat. The procession was led by NC president Koirala. Over 4,000 security personnel, including Nepal Police and APF, were mobilised in the stadium and the streets leading to Aryaghat.
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