Kathmandu, March 3 – Former Deputy Prime Minister and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari who passed away Saturday night was cremated with the state honour today.
Adhikari daughters Luna, Lima and Lija Adhikari lit the funeral pyre of their father.
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.
He had served as the DPM twice and headed the Ministry of Finance at different times.
He is credited for launching the popular ‘Make Your Village Own’ programme and the old age allowance scheme for senior citizens.
Earlier, the government decided to bid final adieu to former Deputy Prime Minister and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Adhikari with the State honour.
Adhikari passed away on Saturday night at the age of 82.
Govt decision on state honor
A meeting of the Council of Ministers taken place at the Prime Minister’s official residence decided to conduct last rites of the late leader with the state honor, according to Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa.
Earlier, Prime Minister and NCP’s Chair KP Sharma Oli, NCP’s another chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ visited the party central office, Dhumbarahi to pay tribute to the late leader.
Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has said it was saddened over the death of former Deputy Prime Minister and veteran leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari, who had contributed tremendously to the party building, democratic struggles and state affairs.
Issuing a joint condolence note today, NCP Chairmen KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal reminded that the late leader Adhikari had contributed hugely to national campaign of political change and transformation.
The Chairmen paid tribute to the departed soul and extended condolences to the bereaved family members.
The late leader had worked constructively to unite then CPN-ML and CPN-Marxist into the CPN-UML in 2047BS. He worked in various capacities in the party’s departments and country’s finance and planning, industry and economy.
“The role Adhikari had on State affairs is significant,” the Chairmen said, adding that he was elected people’s representative from Morang constituency-2 in 2048, 2051 and 2056 elections. He was elected under the proportional electoral system in the Constituency Assembly in 2070BS. An experienced leader in the parliament, the late leader became the deputy leader of the parliamentary party and chief whip as well.
Leader Adhikari earned huge reputation with his first stint as Finance Minister in 2051BS which brought popular socialist programmes as ‘Afno gau afai banau’. The social security scheme as elderly allowance launched by him was very popular and still continued by various governments.
Born to mother Purna Kumari and father Ramchandra Adhikari at Bhabarpura village of Mahottari district on Baisakh 22 in 1993BS, leader Adhikari joined politics being influenced by the activities led by his brother Manmohan Adhikari in the Biratnagar Jute Mills area.
He had received the membership of communist party at early age of 16. He represented the party from Banaras in the second general convention of Nepal Communist Party held at Phohora Durbar of Kathmandu. He was elected central member of the party in the third general convention of party held in 2019BS.
He led various movements and campaigns to build, protect and promote the party organization. He was one among 21-member leftist front formed by the seven communist parties to make the 2046 political movement successful.
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said he was saddened by the passing away of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari.
Issuing a condolence message today, President Deuba said that the country lost a senior, experienced and good politician with the demise of Adhikari.
President Deuba also said that he remembered the late leader Adhikari’s role in creating environment conducive for togetherness in politics. He has also extended condolences to the bereaved family members.
He further shared that he personally lost a friend of clean image.
Leader Adhikari had passed away on Saturday at the age of 82 in course of treatment at HAMS Hospital in the capital city.
The National Assembly Chairman Ganesh Timilsina has expressed sorrow over the demise of former Deputy Prime Minister and NCP leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari.
Issuing a condolence message here today, Chairman Timilsina extended condolences to the bereaved families. The condolence message reads leader Adhikari was an eminent political leader who fought for democracy for long.
He also added that the late leader Adhikari was an experienced and respected leader in the country. With his demise, the nation lost an honest and clean image leader, Timilsina added.
Leader Adhikari had passed away on Saturday at the age of 82 in course of treatment at HAMS Hospital in the capital city.