Former Delhi CM and Union Minister in the Vajpayee government, senior BJP leader Madan Lal Khurana has passed away. He was 82 years old at the time of death. He died after a prolonged illness, his family said.
He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters. His another son had died last month.
"He breathed his last at around 11 pm at his Kirti Nagar residence here," his son Harish Khurana told PTI. He said Khurana was suffering from a chest infection and fever from last few days and was feeling breathless since Saturday morning, he said. He had suffered a brain hemorrhage about five years ago and was ailing since then.
His last rites would be held on Sunday, his family said.
Born in Lyllapur, Punjab province in 1936, Khurana came to Delhi after Independence. The city became the hub of his political activity for the rest of his life. He joined ABVP and rose through the ranks and files of Sangh Parivar. He was the general secretary of Jan Sangh, erstwhile BJP between 1965-1967. Khurana served as Delhi CM between 1993-96 and served in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet briefly as Parliamentary affairs minister and Tourism minister.
He was also the Governor of Rajasthan in 2004 for seven odd months before returning to active politics. Khurana had a rocky relationship with BJP in the final stretches of his political career before slowly retiring from public life.
BJP chief Amit Shah condoled the BJP leader's death. "Learnt of the unfortunate demise of former Delhi chief minister and BJP leader Madan Lal Khurana. He will be remembered as an ideal swayamsewak and a dedicated Vidhyarti Parishad worker and a strong pillar of the Jan Sangh and the BJP," Shah tweeted. He had a key role in strengthening the organisation in Delhi and was popular as the 'lion of Delhi', he said. "On behalf of crores of BJP workers, I convey my condolences to the family of Khurana ji and pray for peace of the departed soul," Shah said.
Reacting to his death, another senior Delhi BJP leader and Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Twitter, " 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".
With PTI inputs
