Kathmandu, March 9
Newly-elected Nepali Congress treasurer, Sita Devi Yadav, said on Wednesday her election is a ‘fitting honour’ to martyrs. Though born in India, I have worked in Nepal, she said, describing Nepal as her Karmasthan (Karmabhoomi).
Yadav told Onlinekhabar: “By electing me, Congress activists have honoured martyrs. She said her win in the race for treasurer’s post has also honoured her husband’s contribution to Nepali politics. Now, I will work to realise his dreams, Yadav said, adding: For this, I will need assistance from all sides.
According to Yadav, the Maoists murdered her husband Chandra Narayan in cold blood while he was on morning walk, on June 19, 2000. “My husband was the most popular leader in the district and was a true well-wisher of Girija (NC President Girija Prasad Koirala). He became district development committee Chair by receiving maximum number of votes. Maoist terrorists could not bear with his popularity, so they murdered him.”
At the time of his murder, Chandra Narayan was also Siraha district president of the Nepali Congress. The Maoists killed him on the charge of marijuana smuggling, killing members of the general public and engaging in illegal trade along the border.
After husband’s murder, Congress made Sita Devi the party’s Siraha district president. Sita Devi is first woman president of an NC district chapter. Sita Devi and the Congress go a long way together. At the time of her husband’s murder, she had already worked as an active member of the NC for years.
“My husband was in the heart of the people. In a mark of honour to him, Congress colleagues asked me to become Siraha district chief of the party and I accepted this request,” she said. After my husband’s murder, I have dedicated myself fully to Congress politics, Sita said.
“With my husband gone, I had to face tough challenges. But I have persevered and given continuity to my political journey.” Not only Maoists, but Madheshi parties have also given Sita Devi a tough time. She complained that the parties torched her home and vehicle in course of their movement.
Chitra Lekha like a sister
Sita says Chitra Lekha Yadav, who lost the race for treasurer, is like her younger sister. “In Siraha, we are neighbours, though we are not relatives,” she said.
Nepal my Karmasthan
Sita was born in Madhuvani of Bihar and is a naturalised citizen of Nepal. She got naturalised citizenship after getting married to Chandra Narayan Yadav of Siraha about 45 years ago. Her two daughters are in India after their marriage there and so is her son.
But a book about lawmakers, which the Parliament Secretariat has published, mentions Sukhachaina VDC ward number 6, Siraha, as Sita Devi’s birthplace, which is wrong.
I was born in India, Yadav told Onlinekhabar. No one needs to raise this issue repeatedly, she said, adding: “Wherever I may have been born, Nepal is my Karmasthan and I have been actively involved in Congress politics for 25 years.
Sita Devi has landed a top position in the Nepali Congress. But Nepal’s new constitution does not allow her to become chief minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Vice-president or President. As per the charter, though, Sita can become a government minister.
