Kathmandu, June 4: Political Science Association of Nepal (POLSAN) today honoured former Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai for his “unfailing contribution to the country’s democratic movement.

Bhattarai, who began political career 54 years back and served the country twice as Prime Minister, was given 1999 POLSAN Award that carries a purse of ten thousand rupees and a token of appreciation.

Speaker Taranath Ranabhat wrapped Bhattarai with a woollen shawl to honour the septuagenarian politician who spent his youthful days within the four walls of prison during the autocratic Panchayat rule.

Speakers at the function lauded Bhattarai for the role he played to uproot the Rana oligarchy and to re-establish multiparty democracy in 1990. “The award has been given to a personality who devoted his entire life to establishing and consolidating democracy,” they said.

“Bhattarai, as an interim Prime Minister in 1990, successfully completed the task of framing constitution and holding the first general election following the popular movement,” they said.

Bhattarai, after receiving the award, expressed happiness over being honoured. “It is a good tradition to appreciate and recognise those who have served the country and people,” he said. “In the 54 years of my political career, I realised today that there is justice in the Palace of Lord.”

Referring to the Holy Gita, Bhattarai said that whatever he did, he did at Almighty’s wishes.

He said that he would keep on guiding the government on the issues of national importance.

Speaker Ranabhat, while acclaiming Bhattarai as the most honest, patriotic, people-oriented and clean political figure, said that the sentiment lying behind the award was greater than the amount of money it carried.

“This event conveys us a message to forge consensus in the issues that immediately concern the people,” he said. “Lack of common consensus has hindered the development activities of the country.”

Main Opposition leader Madhav Kumar Nepal said that while honouring a great political hero like Bhattarai, “we have to look back into the past and evaluate what we did for the people.”

He said that women and the backward communities should be uplifted for the consolidation of democratic system.

Political criminalisation had posed a threat to free and fair election, Nepal said.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party Vice President Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani said transparency and accountability were essential for strengthening democratic values. “Otherwise there is a danger of elected despotism,” he said.

Stating that the highest point of Bhattarai’s career was during 1990 when he formulated constitution and conducted general election, Dr. Lohani said, “Such figures should rise above party politics and instructs the government on the issues of national importance.”