Nepali Congress top leaders including President Sher Bahadur Deuba visited the party central office in Sanepa on Friday to pay tribute to party senior leader and former minister Ramhari Joshi who passed away on Thursday evening.

Joshi known as the Gandhian and socialist leader in the Nepali politics passed away at 7:30 at the Dhapasi-based Grande International Hospital at the age of 91.

Party President and Prime Minister Deuba paid tribute to Joshi. Likewise, NC senior leader Ramchandra Poudel, leaders Bimalendra Nidhi, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, other leaders and party cadres also reached the party headquarters to pay tribute to him, according to the party source.

Joshi, a patient of asthma and pneumonia, was admitted to the hospital after he was hurt when he slipped in the bathroom of his residence on July 5. He was living at his relative's house at Nakhkhipot, Lalitpur.

His last rights will be performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat today itself, the party said.

Born in 1983 BS in Sarlahi, Joshi remained unmarried throughout his life. He had spent sometimes of his life as the head master of Hariaun-based Chaturbhujeshwor Janata Secondary School, Sarlahi.

He had spent the total nine years of his life in prison for joining movements for the party and democracy in the country. He had been elected the member of the parliament during the 2048 BS and 2051 BS elections from his home district Sarlahi. He also held the portfolio of the Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation in 2048 BS in the Girija Prasad Koirala-led cabinet. RSS