Congress and the Socialist International

At one time BP Koirala was the 'Vice President' of the world organization 'Socialist International' on behalf of the Nepali Congress. At that time Congress was banned in the country. For a long time, underground politics was a struggle. However, he was unanimously elected to the post as a tribute to the old and ever struggling member party Congress. Later, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was elected to this post.

Nepali Congress was invited as an old member party to the council meeting of 'Socialist International' held recently in Madrid (February 23-25), the capital of Spain. Fortunately, an opportunity arose for me to participate. The Council meeting held at the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) in Madrid was well attended from almost every continent in the world. In that World Conference, Nepali Congress was internationally recognized as 'old' and the country's 'historical party'. Many emerging countries, especially in Asia, Africa and Latin America, eagerly participated. The Council meeting was chaired by the President of the Socialist International and the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez.

The Chinese Communist Party also participated in the Madrid conference. Nepali Congress, Indian National Congress and Pakistan People's Party are also members from South Asia. In the International, which has four types of members, voting rights are exercised only by parties with full membership. Its annual fee is two thousand pounds sterling, its headquarters are in London. The current Socialist International was founded in Frankfurt in 1951 after World War II. It continues as the successor organization of the first established Labor and Socialist International. From the 26th Congress in 2022, along with President Pedro Sanchez, Khagendra Chhetri from Nepali Congress has been elected as Vice President and Santal Kambiwa from Cameroon (Africa) as Secretary General (Coordinator).

The Madrid Conference, which was eagerly attended by political parties from various countries who believed in the slogans of 'equality' and 'fraternity' and were fighting against autocratic capitalism and imperialism, gave a strong message - 'democratic socialism' is still equally relevant in the world.

At the end of the three-day council meeting, the 'Madrid Declaration' has been issued. In which it is said - 'The impact of the fourth technological revolution and the current comprehensive crisis have increased the gap of inequality in the world, and the ability of our democracies to face those crises has also been tested.'' A commitment to take steps has also been made. In the manifesto, it is mentioned that economic crisis, climate change, energy crisis, population movement, and covid-19 epidemic are major crises. Now it is not a low carbon economy, but a low carbon society (low carbon society) and the participation and contribution of people scattered around the world is also expected for a new harmony with nature. The problems faced by developing countries like Nepal are also included in the manifesto.

Being close to this world organization is not only a big thing, it will be important to be able to do something for the country through the relationship with it. When the Congress was fighting for the restoration of democracy in the country, while BP and other leaders remained in exile in prisons and exiles, a major official organization, 'Socialist International', which continues to convey our voice to the international world, still maintains the same goodwill towards the Congress. The credit goes to BP for bringing the Congress closer to this organization. He worked hard since the seven-year revolution to make his party committed to socialist principles. When the Nepali Congress managed to win two-thirds of the seats under his leadership in the country's first general election in 1959, he was also elected as the Prime Minister of the first popularly elected government. His first priority was to implement a socialist program. His government took steps towards a revolutionary economic program in the country by passing the 'Revolutionary Land Reforms' and 'Labor Act' without any delay.

created waves not only in the national environment, but also in Asia and the world. Immediately after this, in 1960, the 'Socialist International' admitted the Nepali Congress with observer status. It was discussed not only in Nepal but also in the political circles of neighboring friendly countries India and China. It was also a big bold decision in the world environment at that time as the Nepali Congress moved the country forward towards revolutionary socialist reforms.

It had a good effect on the people in the country. It is no exaggeration that bold actions like the abolition of kings and princes, Mohiani rights, demarcation of land, and the abolition of zamindari system have created chaos for the royal family and the court, the big Birtawals, the landlords, and the reactionary feudal class. From the date the Revolutionary Reforms Act was passed by the Parliament, conspiracies against the elected government began. King Mahendra killed democracy based on this. In a short period of one and a half years, the king dissolved the popularly elected government. A series of arrests and strikes ensued. Pushed the country back to the medieval autocratic style of government. So clearly, BP had to pay a heavy price for 'socialism'. A building of BP Koirala and Research Center under Jananayak BP Koirala Memorial Trust is being constructed in his honor in the country. A photograph of this building was handed to Pedro Sánchez, president of the Socialist International, in Madrid.

Thus BP's bold leadership is held in high esteem by the Socialist International. West Germany's Chancellor (Prime Minister) Willy Brandt, the then President of the International, said in his condolence message on BP's death: 'BP Koirala was always a protector of people's rights, a supporter of the freedom of nations, a person who encouraged us for a free and just society.'

– Pokharel is a member of the Constituent Assembly.