Kathmandu, March 2

Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari passed away tonight while undergoing treatment for heart and respiratory problems at Hospital for Advanced Medicine and Surgery.

Adhikari was 82. Adhikari is survived by his wife and three daughters. Adhikari breathed his last at 9:35 pm, said HAMS Medical Director Dr  Bhaskar Raj Panta. Dr Panta said Adhikari died due to multiple organ failure. He was admitted to HAMS with severe symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Dr Panta said Adhikari’s condition had improved a few days ago, but his condition began to deteriorate three days ago.

Adhikari, a permanent resident of Morang district was also the brother of former prime minister Man Mohan Adhikari.

Adhikari, who was known as a  moderate communist leader, became full-time party leader after the 1990 popular movement, shifting his base from his native city of Biratnagar to Kathmandu. In Biratnagar, Adhikari practised law for decades.