Kathmandu, July 8 (PTI): Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Nepali Congress party today expressed grief at the death of former Indian Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar whom they hailed as an advocate of democracy in the Himalayan nation.

"Nepalese people have lost a close and good friend in his demise," the Prime Minister said in his condolence message to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Recalling Chandra Shekhar's role during the 1990 People's Movement for Restoration of Democracy in the Himalayan Kingdom, Koirala said the former PM had made valuable contribution in fulfilling the Nepalese people's aspiration for establishing democracy in the country.

Nepali Congress party also passed a resolution expressing deep condolence at the demise of Chandra Shekhar.

In its condolence message, the party said that South Asia lost a dependable leader of democracy and human rights in his demise.

"He was a very close friend of Nepal, and Nepalese people can never forget the contributions he had made in the democratic movement of Nepal," said Minister for Industry and Supply and Nepal Sadbhavana Party (A) leader Rajendra Mahato.

Nepali Congress (Democratic) general secretary, Bimalendra Nidhi, said that Chandra Shekhar's demise was a great loss for Nepal's democratic movement.

CPN-Maoist central member and the party's Chief Whip in the Interim Parliament Dinanath Sharma said, "He is an important personality of South Asia's democratic movement and he has also made significant contribution to Nepal's democratic movement."