Senior Nepali Congress leader and former minister Dhundiraj Shastri (Paudyal) has passed away at the age of 89. He died early Monday morning at Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal during treatment, according to family members.
Shastri is survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters. His final rites will be performed after his sons return from abroad.
Born in 1993 BS in Arghakhanchi‘s Bhumikasthan-8, Nimdanda, Shastri was elected twice to parliament from Arghakhanchi-2 in 2048 and 2051 BS and served as Minister for Industry and Labour. His political career began in Banaras during the 2010s, and he worked underground during Nepal’s political movements.
He was honored with the BP Koirala National Award last year for his contribution to political philosophy. Known as a loyal follower of BP Koirala, he was respected for his socialist thinking and influence within the Congress party. He once proposed a federal system based on Nepal’s five development regions back in 2050 BS.
Despite setbacks in later elections, Shastri remained a prominent figure in Arghakhanchi politics and a mentor to leaders like Sher Bahadur Deuba.
