POKHARA, July 15: Nepali Congress leader Prakash Man Singh has urged the leaders to lead the party ahead by maintaining internal unity.

Speaking in the mourning assembly today organized to pay condolence over the demise of party leader Ramhari Joshi, leader Singh stressed on party unity to make the party largest in provincial and federal elections.

In another context, he said that implementing the constitution was the responsibility of Nepali Congress as it was promulgated in the leadership of NC itself.

Leader Singh also urged all leaders and cadres to follow the honesty and lifestyle of late leader Joshi.

Leaders Chandra Bhandari, Deepak Giri, NP Saund, Shankar Bhandari and other local leaders also addressed the programme. RSS

KATHMANDU, July 14: Nepali Congress top leaders including President Sher Bahadur Deuba visited the party central office, Sanepa today to pay tribute to party senior leader and former minister Ramhari Joshi who passed away on Thursday evening.

Joshi known as the Gandhian and socialist leader in the Nepali politics passed away at 7:30 at the Dhapasi-based Grande International Hospital at the age of 91.

Party President and Prime Minister Deuba paid tribute to Joshi. Likewise, NC senior leader Ramchandra Poudel, leaders Bimalendra Nidhi, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, other leaders and party cadres also reached the party headquarters to pay tribute to him, according to the party source.

Joshi, a patient of asthma and pneumonia, was admitted to the hospital after he was hurt when he slipped in the bathroom of his residence on July 5. He was living at his relative’s house at Nakhkhipot, Lalitpur.

His last rights will be performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat today itself, the party said.

Born in 1983 BS in Sarlahi, Joshi remained unmarried throughout his life. He had spent sometimes of his life as the head master of Hariaun-based Chaturbhujeshwor Janata Secondary School, Sarlahi.

He had spent the total nine years of his life in prison for joining movements for the party and democracy in the country. He had been elected the member of the parliament during the 2048 BS and 2051 BS elections from his home district Sarlahi.

He also held the portfolio of the Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation in 2048 BS in the Girija Prasad Koirala-led cabinet. RSS

KATHMANDU, July 14: The Nepali Congress (NC) has decided to lower the party flag at half-mast for three days to mourn the passing of its senior leader Ramhari Joshi.

An emergency meeting of the party central committee that took place at the party central office, Sanepa today, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of its elder leader, took a decision to this end.

Likewise, the party is closing its party offices across the country on coming Sunday in honor of the departed leader.

The meeting held under the chair of party President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, highly recognizing Joshi’s endless and significant contribution to nationality, democracy, socialism and democratic movements in the country, decided to officially offer the status of a ‘top leader ‘ to him.

Briefing media persons about the meeting decisions after the meeting, party central leader Arjun Narsingh KC said the party was going to fly the party flag at half-staff for three days and organize other various programs to mourn the demise of Joshi, one of its founding leaders.

Party central leaders available in the capital including senior leader Ramchandra Poudel were present in the meeting. RSS

KATHMANDU, July 14: Veteran Nepali Congress leader and former minister Ramhari Joshi passed away at 7.30 pm on Thursday. He was 91.

Suffering from asthma and pneumonia, leader Joshi was undergoing treatment at Grande Hospital where breathed his last.

He was admitted to hospital after a fall in the bathroom of his house on July 5 in which he was hurt. Joshi had been living at his relative’s house at Nakhkhipot, Lalitpur. His permanent address is Sarlahi.

The elder leader of the Nepali Congress among the party’s contemporaries was unmarried. Joshi, who struggled for the party and the democracy for long, was the Minister for Tourism in 1991 in the Girija Prasad Koirala-led government. 

Born in Sarlahi district, Joshi was popular among the NC leaders as a Gandhian and socialist leader. 

A family source said that the rite of Joshi would be performed at Pashupati Aryaghat on Friday morning. 

Nepali Congress chief secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel said that the party would bear the entire treatment costs of Joshi.