Mahendra Narayan Nidhi was a revered leader of the Nepali Congress, a staunch nationalist and a steadfast advocate of non-violence and democratic principles. His unwavering commitment to democracy, social justice and national development made him one of Nepal’s most admired political figures.

During Nepal’s struggle against the monarchy-led autocratic Panchayat regime, Nidhi chose to remain in the country rather than seek self-exile. He firmly believed in fighting for democracy from within Nepal, working alongside prominent leaders like BP Koirala, Surya Prasad Upadhyaya, Ganeshman Singh, Ram Narayan Mishra and KP Bhattarai. While many were imprisoned or exiled in India, Nidhi peacefully pursued political change. His commitment to non-violent activism served as an inspiration to generations of young leaders across different political ideologies.

In the lead-up to Nepal’s Democracy Day on February 18, 1951 (Falgun 7, 2007 BS), Nidhi played a historic role in the revolution against the autocratic Rana regime. Approximately a month before the official declaration of democracy, a newly formed group of freedom fighters in Mahottari launched a mass protest and took control of the Janakpur Railway. During this revolutionary period, Nidhi was declared Prime Minister of the Government of Nepal formed by the freedom fighters, while Rudra Narayan Giri was appointed Governor-General.

The newly constructed government led an attack on Mahottari prison, liberating democratic fighters, who were later publicly welcomed in Janakpur. This significant event pressured the Rana regime to concede to democratic reforms. As Prime Minister of the rebel government, Nidhi and Giri also negotiated a peace settlement with the armed dacoits of eastern Mahottari, known as Jhija. This agreement ensured that these groups would cease their attacks on local communities, reflecting Nidhi's commitment to peace and human rights.

Following the democratic changes of 1951, Nidhi continued to serve Nepal as a Member of the Advisory Council. He was elected to the House of Representatives in the 1959 elections from Mahottari, alongside Ram Narayan Mishra and Saroj Prasad Koirala. He reluctantly accepted the position of Deputy Speaker while Tulsi Giri was appointed a minister. When King Mahendra dissolved BP Koirala’s parliamentary government in 1961, Nidhi persisted in his non-violent struggle within Nepal.

He had a very close relationship with local social workers and prominent personalities of Janakpur, such as Gauri Narayan Giri, Bishnu Prasad Upadhyay, Mandip Giri, Makeswar Singh, Ramchandra Shah, etc. Nidhi was the go-to figure for consultations every time Nepali Congress Leader Surya Prasad visited Janakpur. During the final years of King Mahendra’s Panchayat era, Surya Prasad Upadhyay, accompanied by Nepali Congress General Secretary Tripubar Singh, visited Janakpur again. They consulted with Nidhi and other local leaders regarding King Mahendra’s proposal to form a democratic government to initiate political reforms.

However, King Mahendra’s sudden heart attack during his visit to Chitwan altered the course of history. Nidhi remained at the centre of Nepal’s democratic movement, recognised not only as a prominent leader from the Madhesh region but also as a national political figure trusted by leaders across party lines, including Bhadrakali Mishra, Gajendra Narayan Singh, Ramraja Prasad Singh and Pandab Raj Pandey.

After the democratic movement of 1990, Nidhi served as the Minister for Water Resources and Local Government under the KP Bhattarai-led interim government. During that period, Nidhi advocated for non-party candidacy in local governance—an idea still relevant in contemporary debates on federal electoral reforms. He also served as the General Secretary of the Nepali Congress under Bhattarai’s leadership.

Beyond politics, Nidhi was deeply dedicated to education and rural development. He firmly believed that true national progress could only be achieved through education, skill development and agricultural support. Nidhi can be credited for his critical role in establishing schools in Madhesh, particularly in Janakpur and his native village, Nagarain, ensuring that children from marginalised communities access quality education.

Nidhi also championed women empowerment, encouraging their active participation in community development. He supported women-led initiatives in education, skill development and small-scale irrigation projects to enhance agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods. His dedication was evident when he travelled for three hours by bullock cart to inaugurate an irrigation and drinking water project for Women in Environment (WE-Nepal) at Dharampur-Anharban Village in Mahottari. Despite being self-educated with no formal schooling, his vision for inclusive development left a lasting impact on rural Nepal.

Nidhi remained humble and soft-spoken, always encouraging youth participation in politics. His dedication to Nepal’s sovereignty and democracy made him a revered figure, inspiring countless young leaders, including Pradeep Giri, Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Bimalendra Nidhi, Anand Dhungana, Dr Dhruba Sharma, Justice Girish Chandra Lal, Shankar Mishra, Narendra Mishra, Samir Ghimire, Bijay Singh, Basant Gurung and Sitaram Bhandari. Several journalists also drew inspiration from his ideals. Even martyrs like Durganand Jha and Keshab Koirala credited him for motivating them to fight for democracy.

Nidhi’s family played a crucial role in the democratic struggle, standing by him through difficult times. His son, Bimalendra Nidhi, followed in his footsteps, joining student politics and enduring imprisonment multiple times. He later rose to become a senior Nepali Congress leader and former Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal.

Mahendra Narayan Nidhi’s life was a testament to courage, sacrifice and dedication to Nepal’s democratic movement. His contributions to politics, education, rural development and social empowerment remain an enduring part of Nepal’s history. His legacy continues to inspire those who believe in democracy, progress and the power of peaceful change.