Preparations to return to Kathmandu:
“An essential feature of democratic practice is that party decisions must be made keeping the voices of the party workers in mind – not only of the party leaders”, Singh shares about their discussion to return to Kathmandu. “This was one of the reasons I had insisted that we must convene and discuss before finalizing our return to Kathmandu”, Singh adds.
Within the party meetings, many discussions were held – while most were of the opinion that returning to Nepal entailed several risks, they agreed with Koirala when he said that “there was no other option”.
Therefore it was finalised that leaders and party workers would return to Nepal – to continue the revolution.
Singh and Koirala’s date of return to Kathmandu had to be postponed twice – because of unavoidable circumstances. While they were preparing to return to Kathmandu, Manik Lal Bajracharya returned with the message that King Birendra had received their recorded tape, but did not say anything about it.
“Our intention was to ensure that King Birendra would receive the message – therefore we were not surprised, or worried about the no-response”, Singh shares.
“His decision to not provide any response to the tape, in a way, also was a response – we thought”, Singh adds.
31 December, 1916: Date of return is finalized:
“Finally, our exact date of return to Kathmandu was finalized. We were to return on 31st December, 1916, via a flight from Patna to Kathmandu. We had more or less finalized who was to return to Nepal and who was to stay back. India’s efforts were to be led by Girija Prasad Koirala. Many party members were to return to their respective districts – and B P Koirala and I were to return to Kathmandu”, Singh shares about their decision.
“Party friends, therefore, respectively began returning to their districts. It always used to be an emotional scene when we would bid them farewell. Almost everyone had cases registered against them at their respective districts – they were most likely to be found guilty and jailed”, Singh shares about their emotional dilemma during the time.
Transiting in Banares:
“At the time, I had moved from Gorakhpur to Banares”, Singh continues. “That place was like a transit point for me”.
“I had taken up a temporary place – and would meet Koirala Ji regularly. Similarly, many party friends who were on their way to different cities would end up in Banares first. I used to live alone, and they would find it comfortable to take shelter at my place before departing for their respective destinations”, Singh continues.
“We would have long discussions about several issues, and those days were indeed very memorable. For me too, living away from my family for long stretches of time, would find comfort in their company. When I used to have friends at my place, I wouldn’t feel as alone as other days”, he adds.