Former Speaker and chairman of the Constituent Assembly Subas Chandra Nembang, who is also vice-chair of the CPN-UML, passed away on Monday night. He was 70.

According to UML Chief Whip Padam Giri, Nembang had suffered a heart attack at his Baluwatar-based residence. He died on his way to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Giri told the Post.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, House Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire, among other leaders have reached the Maharajgunj-based hospital to pay their final respects.

Nembang’s body will be kept at the UML party headquarters in Chyasal from 12pm for final tributes, said UML Deputy General Secretary Bishnu Rimal.

An emergency Cabinet meeting called early on Tuesday decided to give the UML leader a state funeral for his contribution to shaping the constitution, informed Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati.

The meeting also decided to declare a public holiday on the day of Nembang’s funeral rites, Kirati added.

Nembang served as Speaker of the House of Representatives reinstated in 2007. He was elected the House Speaker the same year and served as Constituent Assembly Chairman/Speaker in 2008 and 2013. Nembang was re-elected Speaker in 2015.