CPN-UML central committee advisor and former Minister of State Mahesh Chaudhary passed away on Wednesday. He was 72.

Chaudhary breathed his last at the Ghorahi-based Rapti Academy of Health Sciences during treatment.

The former state minister, who suffered from a hernia and liver-related ailments, was admitted to the medical institute on Wednesday morning after experiencing health deterioration.

Originally hailing from Baiwang in Dangisharan Rural Municipality-4, he had been residing in Belbhar in ward 17 of Ghorahi Sub Metropolitan.

He was elected a member of the National Assembly in 1991 and served as the Development Minister of State in 1997.

Chaudhary had an avid interest in culture and history and had several writings, in both Nepali and English, published under his name.

Chaudhary is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

His body will be kept at the UML office in Ghorahi on Wednesday evening. Funeral rites will be performed in Dangisharan-based Babaighat on Thursday, said UML District Secretary Manohar Budhathoki.