KATHMANDU, Nov 20: President Bidya Devi Bhandari, top leaders of major political parties and neighboring countries have expressed their sorrow over the untimely death of Prakash Dahal, the only son of CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and Former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
President Bhandari had visited Dahal's residence Sunday morning soon after Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrived in Kathmandu from Jhapa upon hearing the news of the death of Prakash Dahal.
Officials at President Bhandari's Secretariat led by communications expert Madhav Sharma had reached Maoist Center headquarters at Parisdanda, where late Dahal's mortal remains were kept, to offer her condolences.
Leaders, parties express condolences
Sources said President Bhandari plans to meet Dahal in person and express condolences to the bereaved family on Monday. Dahal will remain in Kathmandu and avoid poll campaign for the next few days.
Soon after the news about the death of Prakash spread on Sunday morning, top leaders of major parties including Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Naya Shakti Party Nepal Coordinator Baburam Bhattarai, Joint Coordinator of Bibeksheel Sajha Party Rabindra Mishra and senior UML leaders including Pradip Gyawali had taken to social media to express their condolences. UML Chairman Oli, who was with Dahal when he heard the news, had seen off Dahal in Jhapa.
Taking to his twitter, NC President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed sorrow over the untimely death of Dahal. He also extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Separately, NC issued a press statement later in the evening.
Issuing a press statement, UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The party had also put off its poll campaign for an hour between 2 pm and 3 pm on Sunday to mourn the death. The party's senior leaders Jhala Nath Khanal, Madhav Kumar Nepal and General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel had reached Norvic Hospital in the morning.
Indian foreign minister expresses sorrow
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has expressed sorrow over Dahal's death. On twitter, Minister Swaraj wrote. “Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”
