Madhya Pradesh Governor and former MP from Lucknow, Lalji Tandon, died here on Tuesday morning after prolonged illness.
He was 85.
Tandon was hospitalised in a private hospital in Lucknow in June with breathing problems, difficulty in urination and fever. He was put on ventilator support on June 11. Medanta Hospital, where he was admitted, said at the time his condition was “serious”
A medical bulletin issued by the Hospital said here on Tuesday that “Honourable Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Lal Ji Tandon has passed away today at 5:35 AM on July 21, 2020.”
“ Shri Lal Ji Tandon was admitted at Medanta Lucknow on 11th June, 2020, during investigations he was diagnosed to have chronic liver disease, because of his multiple ailments he was put on life support system, Team of medical experts made all efforts for his survival, despite all efforts he took his last breath at 5:35 am today,” the medical director of Medanta, Dr Rakesh Kapoor, said in a statement.
While condoling the death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was anguished by the news, and remembered Tandon 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 to public welfare,” PM Modi said and added, “Shri Lalji Tandon was well-versed with constitutional matters. He enjoyed a long and close association with beloved Atal Ji.”
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolence on the demise of the BJP leader and announced a three-day mourning. “Tandon was a popular leader and his death has created a vacuum in state politics,” Yogi said.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh , UP Governor Anandiben Patel, BJP president JP Nadda , UP BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh, UP Assembly Speaker Hriday Narayan Dikshit, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former UP CM Mayawati and SP president Akhilesh Yadav, his father Mulayam Singh Yadav and UP Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu also expressed their grief.
Mayawati had called Lalji Tandon as his brother and even tied rakhi a couple of times when BJP and BSP had formed an alliance.
The cremation was a low-key affair which was performed at Gulala Ghat in Chowk. Ashutosh Tandon, also known among people as Gopalji, requested the public to pay their respects from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Keeping in mind the coronavirus pandemic, I request you to follow rules and regulations announced by the administration and pay your tributes to my father from your own houses. This will help in maintaining social distancing as well,” Ashutosh tweeted.
In his career spanning five decades, Lalji Tandon served in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council for two terms from 1978 to 1984, and 1990-1996; as an MLA in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly for three terms between 1996 to 2009; as MP in the 15th Lok Sabha; and Governor of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh government declared a state holiday on Tuesday and three-day mourning Tandon’s death.
The Madhya Pradesh government has also announced five-day mourning.
Meanwhile, UP Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his two deputies Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma along with several ministers, BJP leaders, politicians and common people paid floral tributes to the mortal remains of Lalji Tandon at his official residence.
Tandon was cremated at Gulala Ghat. Governor Anandiben Patel, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and his cabinet colleagues Suresh Khanna, Satish Mahana and Surya Pratap Shahi. BJP state chief Swatantra Dev Singh were present at the cremation.
His son Ashutosh Tandon lit the pyre amidst chanting of Vedic hymns.
