NC veteran leader Bhattarai passes away

• By Rajesh Pd. Verma

Kathmandu, Founding leader of Nepali Congress, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai passed away at 11:26 p.m. on March 4. He was 87. He was admitted to the Norvic Hospital, Thapathali on February 12. Bhattarai had been suffering from respiratory problems, high blood pressure and kidney ailments.

Earlier, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav had visited the hospital at around 10:00 pm in order to acquire information about Bhattarai's health condition. Also present at the premises of the hospital since morning today were Nepali Congress cadres, leaders of various political parties and well-wishers. Bhattarai's body shall be taken from the Hospital to the Badegaon Ashram in Lalitpur tonight, according to NC youth leader Ramhari Khatiwada. Bhattarai had been staying at the Ashram provided by the government.

Honours; Sunday public hoiday

Govt declares public holiday tomorrow

The government on Saturday decided to perform the last rites of deceased Nepali Congress (NC) veteran leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai with state honours. A Cabinet meeting convened at Singha Durbar in the Capital today took the decision to this effect. The government has declared Sunday a public holiday and keep the national flag half-mast for three days in Bhattarai's honour, government source said.

Au revoir, Kishunji !

Deceased Nepali Congress (NC) veteran leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai’s body is kept at his residence in Badegaun in the Capital for final condolences on Saturday. Vice President Paramananda Jha, Prime Minister Jhalanth Khanal, Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subash Chandra Nembang, ministers, and leaders from different political parties, among others, have bid their final goodbyes to the departed soul today.

It is reported that the body, which will be kept at his residence throughout today, will be ferried to the Nepali Congress (NC) headquarters in Sanepa at 8 Sunday morning. Bhattarai’s body will be taken to the Dasrath Stadium at 10 a.m. tomorrow and will be kept there for the public to offer condolences till 12 noon, sources confirmed. It is learnt that a mourning procession has been scheduled from 12 noon tomorrow through New Road, Bir Hospital, Ratnapark, Bagbazaar, Dillibazar, Old Baneshwor and finally to the Pashupati Nath Temple, where Bhattarai’s last rites will be performed with state honours in the evening.