The veteran politician breathed his last in his residence at Gyaneswor in the capital Kathmandu after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and senior politicians have expressed deep sorrow at the passing of the former prime minister, Xinhua news agency reported.
“I’m deeply saddened at the passing away of Kirti Nidhi Bista. He was an epitome of simplicity and integrity, and will always be remembered as a great soul. My heart goes out to his bereaved family,” Deuba tweeted.
Bista served as prime minister from 1969 to 1970, 1971 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979 during the party-less Panchayat system under two monarchs – King Mahendra and King Birendra.
Later in 2005, he served as the vice chairman of the government under the direct regime led by king Gyanendra.
A non-corrupt, candid and nationalist politician, Bista began his political career in 1949 and was one of the confidants of late king Mahendra of Nepal.
Despite being close to the then Royal Palace, Bista is remembered for his integrity and taking a firm stance on national interests in crucial situations. “He should be remembered for his integrity and well-cultured manner. He loved the country and he made an image of a leader of strong moral ground,” said former minister and political analyst Nilamber Acharya.
Also, his decision to resign from the post of prime minister on moral grounds after the main administrative building of the country, Singhadurbar, was destroyed in a fire on July 9, 1973, received public admiration.
Bista refrained from politics after the restoration of multi-party democracy in 1990 for a long time. But he accepted the then king Gyanendra Shah’s proposal to become a vice-chairman of the government following the king’s takeover. Bista had to face public criticism for being loyal to the king amid the huge public outrage against the autocratic rule of the king.
Final rites of the former prime minister were performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat in Kathmandu later on Saturday. Bista is survived by two sons and three daughters.