Senior communist leader Adhikari’s last rites performed (In pictures)

KATHMANDU, March 3: Senior communist leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari’s last rite has been performed at Pashupati Aryaghat on Sunday afternoon. He was cremated with state honors.

Adhikari daughters Luna, Lima and Lija Adhikari lit the funeral pyre of their father.

Adhikari, 82, passed away at Dhumbarai-based HAMS hospital on Saturday evening. He was admitted to the hospital three weeks ago was suffering from lungs and heart problems.

His spouse Sabita Adhikari, NCP’s general secretary Bishnu Poudel, leader Janardan Sharma and Nepali Congress leader and former finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, former minister Dr Minendra Rijal and several party cadres and leaders reached the Pashupati Aryagaht to pay last tribute to the late leader.

A contingent of the Armed Police Force presented a guard of honor to the late leader. A minute of silence was also observed on the occasion.

Earlier in the morning, the Nepal Communist Party paid final tributes to the mortal remains of Adhikari offering flowers and party flag at the party’s central office in Dhumrabarahi this morning.

Many political leaders and cadres and people had paid last tribute to Adhikari.

The four times finance minister was famous for championing the campaign “Anfo Gaun Afai Banau” (Make your own village) when he was in the 1994-1995 government led by late Prime Minister Man Mohan Adhikari. He also introduced senior citizen allowance.

Adhikari had retired from active politics in 2014.