KATHMANDU: Chandra Raj Pandey, father of Minister for Land Reform and Management Bikram Pandey, has died this morning. He was 97.

Pandey, who was suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes, died at his residence in Budhanilakantha at around 5 am, said the family.

Having served as founder of Kalika Construction Private Limited, Pandey was also a social worker. He is survived by four sons.

Meanwhile, leaders of various political parties including Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Rastriya Prajatantra Party National Chairman Prakash Chandra Lohani and RPP Chairman Kamal Thapa reached Budhanilakantha to pay their last tributes to Pandey.

His last rites would be performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat today, said the RPP leader Janak Pathak.