Former mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City PL (Prem Lal) Singh died on Sunday night at the age of 88.

Singh was elected as Kathmandu’s mayor in 1992, representing the Nepali Congress. Later, the capital city was upgraded to a metropolitan city during his tenure. He was also a long-time aide to Ganeshman Singh, the commander of the people’s movement of 1990 that reinstated multi-party democracy in Nepal.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City declared a public holiday on Monday to mourn the death of its former mayor. Offices under the city’s jurisdiction remained closed on Monday, except for essential services.

An emergency meeting of the central working committee of Nepali Congress on Monday paid tribute to Singh, a former central committee member of the party. He also served as minister for population and environment.

“Singh was jailed multiple times for being involved in democratic movement in Nepal and he also spent years in exile in India,” a press release issued by the party after the meeting said.

The party has said his contribution in strengthening the party organisation and democracy will always be remembered.

“His role in the movement for the reinstatement of democracy will always be highly regarded,” said Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.