KATHMANDU: An emergency meeting of the Nepali Congress (NC) central working committee today endorsed a condolence motion over the passing of Premlal (PL) Singh, the party former member, former minister and the Kathmandu metropolis former mayor.
Expressing deep sorrow over the demise of Singh, the meeting extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished eternal peace to the departed soul.
According to NC Party Office's Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel, the meeting decided to fly the party flag at half-mast for three days, starting today.
Additionally, party offices at the central and district levels will remain closed on December 17. A condolence book will be available at party office for people to sign until the 13th day following Singh's death. A condolence assembly will also be held in Kathmandu on the 13th day to honor his memory.
Singh, who served as the Minister for Population and Environment, passed away at 1:00 am today at his residence in Chaksibari. He was 88.
A close associate of the late Ganesh Man Singh, regarded as the "Iron Man" of Nepali politics, for long, Singh was a prominent figure in Nepal’s democratic movement and was imprisoned several times for his political activism.
He was also the first mayor of Kathmandu (elected through 2049 BS election) after the restoration of democracy, and it was through his initiative that Kathmandu was in 2052 BS declared a metropolitan city.