Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon Passes Away At 85 After A Month Of Illness; PM Modi Condoles Demise

Lalji Tandon death: 85-year-old Tandon had been undergoing treatment at the hospital since June 11 at Lucknow's Medanta Hospital.

Image: PTI

Lalji Tandon death: Madhya Pradesh governor Lalji Tandon who was undergoing treatment in hospital since over a month, passed away on Tuesday morning. His son Ashutosh Tandon while announcing his demise, informed that the MP governor took his last breath at 5:35 am on Tuesday. 85-year-old Tandon had been undergoing treatment at the hospital since June 11 at Lucknow's Medanta Hospital with breathing problems, difficulty in urination and fever. He was on critical care ventilator support through the tracheostomy team of medical experts at the hospital, Dr Rakesh Kapoor, Medical Director, Medanta Lucknow, had informed yesterday.

बाबूजी नहीं रहे

— Ashutosh Tandon (@GopalJi_Tandon) July 21, 2020

Lalji Tandon's son Ashutosh Tandon who is currently serving as Minister of Urban Development, Overall Urban Development, Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation in the Government of Uttar Pradesh, tweeted to inform about his death. He said that the mortal remains will be taken to Gulala Ghat, Chowk, in Lucknow for cremation at 4:00 pm. The final rites will be performed at 4:30 om at Gulala Ghat. For last respects, his mortal remains will be kept at Kothi no 1,  Hazratganj from 10 am to 12 pm. After 12 pm, the programme will be shifted to his residence at Sondhi Tola chowk. In 2018, Lalji Tandon was appointed Governor of Bihar and shifted to Madhya Pradesh in the same capacity in 2019. The veteran leader has served as member of the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad for two terms and also remained the Leader of House of the Council. Condolences pour in after Tandon's demise: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders expressed grief on the demise of the veteran leader. "Shri Lalji Tandon was well-versed with constitutional matters. He enjoyed a long and close association with beloved Atal Ji. In this hour of grief, my condolences to the family and well-wishers of Shri Tandon," PM said. "Shri Lalji Tandon will be remembered for his untiring efforts to serve society. He played a key role in strengthening the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. He made a mark as an effective administrator, always giving importance of public welfare. Anguished by his passing away," he tweeted.

Shri Lalji Tandon will be remembered for his untiring efforts to serve society. He played a key role in strengthening the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. He made a mark as an effective administrator, always giving importance of public welfare. Anguished by his passing away. pic.twitter.com/6GeYOb5ApI

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 21, 2020

Union Minister Smriti Irani expressed her grief on Twitter and said she was pained to hear about the sad demise of Shri Lalji Tandon. "A stalwart , Babuji helped pave the way for many youngsters, guiding us gently on our ideological journey. My condolences to Gopal bhaiya & family. Om Shanti," she tweeted.

I am pained to hear about the sad demise of Shri Lalji Tandon. A stalwart , Babuji helped pave the way for many youngsters, guiding us gently on our ideological journey. My condolences to Gopal bhaiya & family. Om Shanti ????

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 21, 2020

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his condolences at the demise of the BJP stalwart. "The news of the demise of Shri Lalji Tandon, Governor of Madhya Pradesh and a powerful personality of Uttar Pradesh, is very painful. With Tandanji I had the opportunity to work for a long time. His long public life has been devoted to the service of the public and he has left a distinct mark in his work," said Rajnath in a tweet in Hindi. Watch here: