Ex-Nepal PM Bhattarai’ last rites performed in Kathmandu
March 6th, 2011 - 10:01 pm ICT by ANIKathmandu, Mar 6(ANI): The last rites of former Nepal Prime Minister Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, who breathed his last in Kathmandu on Friday, were performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat here with state honours on Sunday.
His nephew Pramod Bhattarai lighted the funeral pyre as per Hindu tradition followed by a squad of Nepal Army giving a 13-cannonball salute to the veteran leader, the Himalayan Times reports.
Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala paid their last respects to Bhattarai on behalf of the state and the party respectively.
Speaker Subash Nembang and Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikary were also present on the occasion.
The Nepal government has announced a three-day state mourning by flying the national flags at half-mast, and keeping condolence books at Nepal’s diplomatic missions abroad.
All the government offices and schools in Nepal remained close today.
Widely seen as a maverick leader of the Nepali Congress Party, Bhattarai had made his position by transitioning Nepal from an absolute monarchy to a democratic multi-party system.
Bhattarai was twice the Prime Minister of Nepal, once heading the interim government from April 19, 1990, to May 26, 1991, and then as elected Prime Minister from May 31, 1999, to March 22, 2000.
Bhattarai was the officiating President of the Nepali Congress for nearly 26 years from February 12, 1976, and finally elected to the post of president of party in 1992 till 1996.
He was actively participated in democratic movements of Nepal from its inception. (ANI)
- Ex-Nepal PM Bhattarai' last rites to be held on Sunday - Mar 05, 2011
- Nepal prepares for Koirala's cremation (Lead) - Mar 21, 2010
- Nepal's first democratic prime minister Bhattarai dies - Mar 05, 2011
- Nepal braces for more battle over budget - Apr 29, 2011
- Communist victory likely as Nepal holds PM poll - Feb 03, 2011
- Chinese premier meets Nepal president, PM (Lead) - Jan 14, 2012
- Krishna holds bilateral talks, sets stage for Nepal PM's visit - Apr 20, 2011
- Jhalanath Khanal elected new Prime Minister of Nepal - Feb 04, 2011
- New Nepal PM likely to be sworn in Sunday - Feb 04, 2011
- 'Munni badnaam hui' creates storm in Nepal parliament - Jul 29, 2011
- India lauds Nepal's political parties for peace deal - Nov 02, 2011
- Nepal PM to quit Saturday - Aug 10, 2011
- Nepal's new Maoist PM sworn-in amid growing challenges - Aug 29, 2011
- PM congratulates Bhattarai, invites him to India - Aug 29, 2011
- India committed to working for democratic, peaceful Nepal: Krishna - Apr 20, 2011
Tags: absolute monarchy, condolence books, congress president, democratic movements, deputy prime minister, diplomatic missions, flags at half mast, funeral pyre, himalayan times, hindu tradition, krishna prasad bhattarai, last respects, last rites, national flags, nepal government, nepali congress party, prime minister krishna, prime minister of nepal, state honours, veteran leader