KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has rejected the government funding allocated for the reconstruction and renovation of the historic Koirala residence in Biratnagar.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Koirala requested that the budget allocation be withdrawn.
The historic Koirala residence in Biratnagar was destroyed in an arson attack during the Gen-Z protest movement on Bhadra 24 last year. Koirala said he was morally unable to accept the amount allocated by the government for its reconstruction.

The government had allocated Rs 20 million through the budget for the fiscal year 2083/84 for the repair and restoration of the Koirala residence in Biratnagar.
In the letter sent to the ministry, Dr. Koirala wrote:

“The house built a century ago by my father, Krishna Prasad Koirala, in Ward No. 7 of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, known as the Koirala residence, was burned during the Gen-Z movement on Bhadra 24 last year. Its historical significance was physically destroyed.”

He further stated:
“The campaign of social transformation through educational awakening initiated a century ago by my father Krishna Prasad Koirala, and later carried forward under the leadership of B.P. Koirala with the dedication, support and sacrifice of the entire family, evolved into a struggle for the political, intellectual and collective consciousness of the Nepali people. The Koirala residence was not only a witness and heritage of that struggle, but also a center of public trust and confidence.”

Koirala added that the collective consciousness represented by that heritage had spread across the country from Mechi to Mahakali in the form of ideas, organization, freedom and nationalism.
Recalling the legacy of B.P. Koirala, he wrote: “B.P. devoted his entire life to the struggle for food, shelter and clothing for all Nepalis. If the state dedicates itself wholeheartedly to that cause, that will be the truest tribute to B.P. and the real justice to the Koirala residence.”

His decision to refuse the allocated budget has drawn attention as a symbolic gesture emphasizing the political and ideological legacy of the Koirala family over the physical reconstruction of the historic residence.