KATHMANDU: Former Minister and Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal leader Mangal Siddhi Manandhar passed away on Friday. He was 75.

The FSF-N Co-Chairman Rajendra Shrestha informed THT Online that Manandhar died at 10:45 this morning while receiving medical attention at the Thapathali-based Norvic International Hospital.

Norvic Hospital's Corporate Communications Chief RP Mainali said Manandhar, who was admitted to the hospital on June 24 for treatment of his urinary bladder cancer, died of cardiopulmonary arrest this morning.

Urologist Dr Robin Joshi was looking after him, according to Mainali.

Manandhar had received treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre around some months ago, according to Mainali.

Shrestha said Manandhar's final rites would be performed according to family rituals on Saturday as the family has been waiting for one of his sons to arrive from India.

A longtime CPN-UML leader, Manandhar had quit the party to form the then Federal Socialist Party, which had later merged with the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum-Nepal to form the FSF-N.

He was chief central advisor to the party.

Also the former Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Manandhar is survived by wife, a daughter and two sons.

FSF-N to mourn death for three days

Meanwhile, the FSN-N decided to mourn the death of its leader for three days.

A press statement issued by the party Chairman Upendra Yadav said the party would fly its flags half-mast for next three days.

The party commented that in Manandhar, the nation has lost a state restructuring expert and a devout pro-identity leader.