Kathmandu, Dec 23: Today is the 101st birth anniversary of the founding leader of the Nepali Congress (NC), Krishna Prasad Bhattarai. He is popularly known as Kisunji in the political sphere.

NC along with its sister and benevolent organizations are commemorating Santaneta (saint leader) Bhattarai by organizing several programmes on Monday.

It is historically marked that Bhattarai, who became the Prime Minister of the interim government in 2047 BS, returned Kupandole-based rented house in 2048 BS with a tank, surahi and umbrella from the PM residence.

No politician from any country in the world said my goal was liberation (nirvana) when he was the prime minister, but leader Bhattarai openly called his goal Nirvana, recalls Swami Ananda Arun.

Kisunji had inaugurated Osho Tapovan in Kathmandu when he was the Prime Minister. During his lifetime, Kisunji had reached there for meditation several times.

He remembered Kisunji as a leader who did not deviate from his stance. Bhattarai was imprisoned when BP Koirala and Ganesh Man Singh were released from Sundarijal jail after signing the documents prepared by the then government.

He always remembers the politics of loyalty and unswerving commitment and determination of the saint leader.

“Kisunji used to speak the truth without hiding his weaknesses while in politics. He had established his image as a true and fair politician. He did not even go to India for shelter even in the troublesome time in Nepali politics. Rather he stayed in Nepal and established Nepal Students Union, for which he was imprisoned for three more years”, said Anand Arun.

He believes that Kisunji is known as a spiritual leader greater than Mahatma Gandhi, who was known as a non-violent leader”.

On the occasion of kisunji’s birth centenary year, its chairman Lokesh Dhakal has started promoting the politics of integrity and his contribution to the development of the country by establishing ‘Sant Neta Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Kendra’ last year.

“Why did he leave the party established by him in tears? True respect will be given to the veteran democratic leader Kisunje only after exploring the answer of this riddle. He left the party, did not the ideal. The center has been established to immortalize his deed”, Dhakal said.

Senior journalist Purushottam Dahal, who had been active along with Kisunji in the movement for the restoration of democracy, said he was known as a politician who did not have greed for power, position and money.  (RSS)