Veteran Leftist Leaders Ghanendra Basnet and Madhu Chhetri Pass Away

Two veteran figures of Nepal's leftist movement, former lawmaker Ghanendra Basnet and Rastriya Janamorcha central treasurer Madhu Kumar Chhetri, passed away on Wednesday following prolonged battles with cancer.

Basnet, a prominent participant in the 1970s Jhapa movement and a former member of the House of Representatives, died while undergoing treatment for lung cancer at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Annapurna Post and Onlinekhabar reported. Born on Asoj 25, 2009 BS (October 1952) in Kulung, Bhojpur, Basnet entered communist politics as a youth resisting the party-less Panchayat system. Annapurna Post reported that he spent approximately 17 years in prison and was among the key organisers of the historic Nakkhu jailbreak.

Following the 1990 political transition, Basnet served two parliamentary terms on a Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) ticket. Onlinekhabar reported that he won election to the House of Representatives from Sankhuwasabha-2 in the 2048 BS general election and later took the Bhojpur-1 seat in 2056 BS. After the CPN-UML split, Basnet became vice chair of the CPN (Unified Socialist), before subsequently aligning with Ghanshyam Bhusal in CPN Samyukta.

CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli issued a statement honouring Basnet, describing his protracted imprisonment and endurance of torture as foundational contributions to Nepal's democratic system, Onlinekhabar reported. CPN Samyukta acting chair Ghanshyam Bhusal said Basnet's final rites would be performed at Pashupati Aryaghat on Thursday following a public memorial meeting. Basnet is survived by a son, according to Annapurna Post.

Separately on Wednesday morning, Rastriya Janamorcha Central Treasurer and CPN (Masal) Central Advisor Madhu Kumar Chhetri, also known by his party name Comrade Rahul, died at his residence in Sandhikharka-10, Arghakhanchi, Setopati and Ratopati reported. Chhetri had been battling blood cancer for several years.

Janamorcha General Secretary Manoj Bhatt told Ratopati that Chhetri had received treatment in Kathmandu at Suresh Wagle Memorial Cancer Hospital and HAMS Hospital for two years. Doctors advised his family to transfer him home a week ago after his disease entered its terminal stage, Bhatt said. Chhetri passed away at around 7:00 am.

Chhetri was active in leftist politics from 2038 BS, compiling more than four decades of political and cultural work. According to Setopati, he played a central role in progressive cultural campaigns, leading activities within the Raktim Sanskritik Abhiyan and the Progressive Writers' Association alongside political assignments at home and abroad. He was elected treasurer at Janamorcha's fifth national conference in 2076 BS, Ratopati reported. Janamorcha acting president Rashmiraj Nepali was to attend his funeral in Arghakhanchi, Bhatt said. Chhetri is survived by his wife and two sons.