Former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra passed away on Monday, 19 August, in New Delhi after a prolonged illness, ANI reports said. He was 82 years old.
"He passed away around 9.45 am following cardiac arrest,” Nitish Mishra, his son, told IANS. The veteran politician had been suffering from cancer and other ailments and was receiving treatment at a Delhi hospital.
Mishra, who started out as a professor at Bihar University, authored several books before moving into politics, The Hindu reported.
Once a powerful figure for the Congress in Bihar politics, Mishra first became chief minister in 1975 and then returned to office in 1980 and 1989, according to IANS.
The veteran politician had also served as a Union minister.
‘Served the Nation with Dedication and Honour’
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his condolences at the demise of the three-time CM, declaring three-day state mourning in Bihar.
"Jagannath Mishra was a famous leader and educationist. He made an invaluable contribution to the politics of Bihar and India. His death is an irreparable loss in the field of politics, society, and education," Nitish Kumar said in a statement, according to ANI.
The Congress party also took to Twitter to express its condolences, saying that the three-time CM had "served the nation with dedication and honour".
Congress President Sonia Gandhi also extended her condolences, saying “he would be remembered for a long time to come”.
Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee said he was “deeply saddened at the passing away of long time friend and colleague.”
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also tweeted, saying he was sad to see a “great generation of national leaders fading”.
Governor Phagu Chauhan also condoled Mishra’s demise and recalled his contributions as a three-time chief Minister and, later, as a Union minister, PTI reported.
Mishra was an accused in the controversial fodder scam case but was acquitted last year by a court in Ranchi.
He will be cremated with state honours, according to reports.
(With inputs from The Hindu, ANI, PTI and IANS.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)