KATHMANDU, March 20: President of Nepali Congress and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala passed away at his daughter´s residence on Saturday afternoon, party leaders said.
Koirala who had been unconscious since early Saturday morning was announced dead by his family and NC Central Working Committee leaders after the doctors attending on him confirmed his death at 12.10 p.m. Saturday.
See our earlier news below:
The possibility of revival of former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koriala´s health is very slim, Dr. Shashank Koirala, his nephew and medical doctor said.
In an exclusive interview with Republica, Dr. Koirala said, "Speaking as a medical doctor, the hopes of revival of Koirala´s health is very slim."
Koirala has been unconscious since early Saturday morning. [break]
The four-time prime minister who has long suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is reported to be unconscious since Saturday morning at around 5, doctors attending Koirala said.
However, family sources decided that Koirala would not be taken to the hospital as he had been denying to go to hospital since long time, NC leader Krishna Prasad Situala said.
Unified CPN (Maoist) leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal and former prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa among other senior leaders have arrived at Mandikhatar.
"He has been having problem in breathing and he is unconscious since Saturday morning," Dahal said with reporters after he visited Koirala.
"He is unable to see and speak. He is breathing with the help of oxygen supplied to him," Minister for Youth and Sports Ganesh Tiwari Nepali said with reporters.
Noted Bollywood actress and grand daughter of Koirala, Manisha Koirala has also visited the ailing leader.
Party cadres, well-wishers, journalists and family members, among others have flocked to Sujata Koirala’s residence in Mandhikatar.
The doctors prescribed to increase the quantity of oxygen intake as the health further deteriorated.
Koirala suffered from diarrhea on Thursday night which furthermore deteriorated the health of the veteran leader.
"He has been further weakened though his condition had improved after treatment [at Shahid Gangalal Hospital] last week," Sitaula said about Koirala´s health on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress decided to hold a central committee meeting at 1o´ clock on the premises of Sujata Koirala´s residence at Mandikhatar where Girija Prasad Koirala is being treated by doctors, NC leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala informed Republica.
Koirala family will take over NC leadership: Shashank Koirala