Bidhyanath Pokhrel (Nepali: ne: विद्यानाथ पोख्रेल, 9 June 1918 – 25 August 1994) was a Nepali poet and politician. He was an anti-Rana democratic politician. He took charge of the Dhankuta Front during the 1951 democratic revolution of Nepal.[2][3]

Bidhyanath Pokhrel
Native name
विद्यानाथ पोख्रेल
BornBidhyanath Pokhrel
(1918-06-09)June 9, 1918[1]
Kachide, Dhankuta, Nepal
Died25 August 1994(1994-08-25) (aged 76)
Kathmandu, Nepal
Occupationpoet, politician
LanguageNepali, Sanskrit, Hindi
NationalityNepalese
CitizenshipNepali
SpouseGirija Kumari Pokhrel
Childrenfour daughters, three sons
ParentsLoknath Pokhrel (father), Renuka Pokhrel (mother)
RelativesSuman Pokhrel (grandson)

Biography

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Bidhyanath Pokhrel played a prominent role in the Nepali Congress party. He was given a ticket to compete in the Dhanua North constituency in the first parliamentary elections in 1959. He campaigned for his election, but suddenly the ticket was transferred to Lilanath Dahal. Without being discouraged by this setback, Bidhyanath Pokhrel bravely participated in the elections as an independent candidate, despite ultimately suffering defeat.[4][5]

Recognizing his trapped situation and political skills, King Mahendra offered Bidhyanath Pokhrel a lifelong membership in the Raj Sabha, a body similar to the Privy Council in the United Kingdom. This offer came at a time when Pokhrel had not yet reconnected with the Nepali Congress. He had only two options: to confront the king or accept his proposal, as the Nepali Congress had not initiated talks to reintegrate rebel candidates into their party system. He advocated for the multi-party system option during the 1980 referendum. However, he remained without any position as the multi-party option was defeated in the referendum. Since then, he has been less active in politics.[5][4][6]

Pokhrel died on 25 August 1994 in Kathmandu due to cardiac attack.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Bidnyanath Pokhrel". Geni. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  2. ^ Tuladhar, Daman Raj (1980). Contemporary Nepal, 1945–1955. Kathmandu: Laxmi Publication. p. 340.
  3. ^ विद्यानाथ पोख्रेल:: कविता कोश (in Nepali). Kavita Kosh. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  4. ^ a b Tika Prasad Lamichane (2011). "Politicians from Dhankuta". पूर्वाञ्चलमा धनकुटा [Dhankuta in Eastern Zone]. Narayangurh: Pallav Lierature Academy. pp. 113–185. ISBN 978-9937-8170-5-9.
  5. ^ a b Baral, L S (July–September 1971), "NEPAL'S APPRENTICESHIP IN DEMOCRACY 1951-1960", India Quarterly, 27 (3), India: Sage Publications Ltd: 185–202, ISSN 0974-9284
  6. ^ Panta, Rama Devi (21 February 1959), "General Elections in Nepal - I (Recent Political Trends)", Economic and Political Weekly, 11 (8), Bombay: Sameeksha Trust: 285–290, ISSN 0012-9976