Leaders of various political parties on Thursday remembered the late prime minister Sushil Koirala as a man who donned the ‘simple living and high thinking’ persona.

During an inauguration function of Sushil Koirala Foundation in the Capital, leaders recalled his unflinching commitment to democracy and his leadership in promulgating the constitution last year.

Sushil, also the erstwhile Nepali Congress president, passed away on February 9, 2016.

Admitting that he did not get along with Koirala during the most recent years, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba acknowledged the lead role he had played while promulgating the statute. 

“We were also not sure how Sushilji would bring all forces together to bring out the statute, but he did it,” said Deuba, adding that holding elections and implementing the constitution would be the best tribute to the late former prime minister.

NC Seneral Secretary Sashank Koirala reminisced how Sushil Koirala acted as his guardian during his early childhood days. “Had it been any other prime minister last September, we could not have promulgated the statute,” said Sashank, also the chairman of the foundation.

Underscoring the natural phenomenon of having differences within a democratic party, former NC general secretary Prakash Man Singh said Sushil Koirala also respected all thoughts and ideologies within the party.

Speaking on the occasion, UML leader Jhalanath Khanal said there was a need for all parties to unite once again, just as they did to promulgate the statute last year.

Comparing Sushil Koirala with Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi, Maoist Centre leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the people should come together to fight corruption if they wanted to give him a deserving honour.