Rolpa, July 11 -- Former minister Balaram Gharti Magar passed away on Friday morning while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kathmandu. He was 87 and had been suffering from a prolonged illness, according to family sources.

Born on August 2, 1937 in then Mijhing VDC-5 of Rolpa, Gharti Magar was elected multiple times from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, serving five ministerial terms during the Panchayat and multiparty periods.

A trusted confidant of the former monarchs, Gharti Magar held several ministerial portfolios, including that of deputy prime minister.

He earned a reputation as a popular leader since the Panchayat era and remained active in politics and parliament for nearly three decades.

Gharti Magar published several bo...