KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress party has decided not to host its annual tea party programme on the occasion of the Dashain, Tihar, Nepal Samvat New Year and Chhat festivals.

The decision was taken mourning the demise of the then party President Sushil Koirala. The party is observing the first death anniversary of Koirala on coming February 9.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, NC party office Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel said the party was not hosting any festival reception this time following the death of the then party President and former Prime Minister Koirala.

The party had been hosting a reception on the day of Kojagrat Purnima, the final day of the Dashain, every year since 1976 after the return of the then party President Bishweshwor Prasad Koirala with the adoption of national reconciliation policy from his exile in India.

Meanwhile, the party has expressed sorrow over the death of three people in a bus accident that took place at Handikhola-2, Makwanpur today.