CHITWAN: Former education minister and central member of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Dhaniram Paudel, has passed away today morning.

Paudel, 53, died after he suffered a cardiac arrest at his residence in Madi Municipality of Chitwan district. He was taken to Baghauda Hospital in Madi after the attack. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

It has been learnt that Paudel had reached Madi few days ago to oversee the construction of his house.

NCP (NCP) leader Paudel became the education minister during the time when Pushpa Kamal Dahal led the government. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Paudel's wife Ganga Belbase is also a central member of NCP (NCP).

Party co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, along with other central members of the party are reaching Chitwan today to pay their final tributes to late Paudel.