Former Nepal PM Sushil Koirala dies at 78

The Koirala clan dominated Nepali politics for nearly seven decades and produced four Prime Ministers in the last five decades. Sushil Koirala, 78, who breathed his last early on Tuesday, was unlike the first three — M P Koirala, B P Koirala and G P Koirala — as he was from a different family, but because of his politics, upbringing, association and loyalty, he was never seen as an outsider. In fact, Sushil not only succeeded G P Koirala as the president of the Nepali Congress, but also moved to elder Koirala’s house following his death in March 2010 as a recognition of his being the patriarch of the dynasty. While his clout, given his age and seniority within the clan was intact, Koirala was seen as losing his influence among the masses as well as the party, which is going to host its general assembly to elect its new leader in two weeks time. Koirala, despite his failing health — he was suffering from tongue cancer and acute respiratory problem — was keen to retain the post, but was facing formidable challenge from Sher Bahadur Deuba, another former prime minister.