Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Jagannath Pahadia died of COVID-19 late on May 19.
Pahadia, 89, breathed his last at a private hospital in Gurugram. He served as the first Dalit Chief Minister of the State in 1980-81 and was later the Governor of Haryana and Bihar.
The State government has announced a one-day mourning on Thursday, when government offices will remain closed and the national flag will fly at half-mast. The Council of Ministers condoled Pahadia’s death at a specially convened meeting.
The veteran Congress leader was elected MP four times and later MLA in 1980, 1985, 1999 and 2003. He served as a Union Minister of State three times after being elected to the Lok Sabha from Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur and Bayana seats.
Pahadia was born in 1932 at Bhusawar town in Bharatpur district. He received his formal education in humanities and law in Bharatpur and Jaipur.
Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condoled the death of Pahadia. Mr. Gehlot said Pahadia had served the country in various capacities for a long time.
“I am shocked by his demise. He had a lot of affection for me since the beginning,” Mr. Gehlot said.
