Former Nepali PM Sushil Koirala dies at 80

Kathmandu: Former prime minister and president of the Nepali Congress (NC), Sushil Koirala died here of Pneumonia early on Tuesday. He was 80 years old.

Koirala died at his residence in Kathmandu's Maharajgunj area. Doctors told the media that he died due to failure of his respiratory system.

Koirala, who was the prime minister of Nepal from February 11, 2014 to October 10, 2015, will be remembered as the leader under whose leadership Nepal promulgated the new constitution through the constituent assembly in September, 2015.

Koirala, who had spent 16 years in India in exile during the pro-democracy movement in Nepal, was a survivor of tongue and lung cancers.

His death comes a serious blow to NC that is scheduled to hold its 13th general assembly in March 2016.

Hundreds of Nepali Congress leaders and supporters gathered at his Maharajgunj residence to offer condolence to the leader. I am really shocked at his death, NC senior leader and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said.

Koirala, who was eying a second term as the party president, was known for his high integrity and simple lifestyle.