Madan Lal Khurana's last rites would be held on Sunday, his family said.
Highlights
- Madan Lal Khurana died at his home in Delhi on Saturday night
- He was a four-time MP and Chief Minister of Delhi from 1993 to 1996
- He was 82 and had been unwell for a while
Former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana died at his home in the city on Saturday night. He was 82 and had been unwell for a while.
"He breathed his last at around 11 pm at his Kirti Nagar residence here," his son Harish Khurana told news agency PTI. He was suffering from a chest infection and fever for the last few days, Harish Khurana said.
The BJP leader was a four-time parliamentarian and Chief Minister of Delhi from 1993 to 1996. He served as the Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and also briefly as the governor of Rajasthan in 2004.
He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. In August this year, his eldest son Vimal Khurana had died of a cardiac arrest at 55.
His last rites would be held today, his family said. Delhi BJP Chief Manoj Tiwari, who paid his respects to the former chief minister at his residence, told news agency ANI that Mr Khurana's body will be kept at BJP-Delhi State Office around 12 pm for people to pay their last respects.
Several BJP leaders were among those who condoled his death on social media.
"The news of passing away of former Delhi CM and senior BJP leader is very saddening. Khuranaji was an ideal swayamsewak, a dedicated student wing worker and he shall be always remembered as a strong pillar of the Jana Sangh and the BJP," BJP chief Amit Shah said.
"My heartfelt condolences to the BJP parivar and the family of our beloved former Chief Minister of Delhi & veteran BJP leader Shri Madan Lal Khurana ji who passed away today after prolonged illness. My thoughts and prayers are with his near & dear ones. May his soul rest in peace," Union Minister Harsh Vardhan tweeted.
Born on October 15, 1936, Mr Khurana is credited with helping the BJP establish itself in the Congress stronghold of Delhi and also aid then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in forging ties with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab.
Mr Khurana, who had resigned as the governor of Rajasthan after just nine months of service, to return to politics had suffered a brain haemorrhage about five years ago and was ailing since then.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)