Former UP and Uttarakhand CM ND Tiwari dies in Delhi after prolonged illness

NEW DELHI: Former Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand chief minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari died in Delhi after a prolonged illness at the Max Hospital in Saket area on Thursday. He was 93.

Incidentally, the veteran Congress leader died on his birthday. He is survived by his wife Ujjwala and son Rohit Shekhar. 

Former UP and Uttarakhand CM ND Tiwari passes away at Max Hospital in Saket. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/tavfHc73Bp — ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2018

He was born on this day in 1925. 

The veteran Congress leader has been suffering from an infection in his kidneys and low blood pressure.

He was shifted to the ICU of the Max Hospital on July 8 and since then his condition continued to deteriorate.

Delhi: Former UP and Uttarakhand CM ND Tiwari has been shifted to the ICU of Max Hospital in Saket following an infection in his kidneys and low blood pressure. pic.twitter.com/KEyRsgx1v8 — ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2018

Tiwari was the only Indian to have served as the chief minister of two states. 

He served as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh from 1976-77, 1984-85, and then from 1988-89. 

He also served as the Uttarakhand Chief Minister from 2002-2007.

In 1986-1987, Tiwari served in then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's cabinet as the Minister for External Affairs.

He also served as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh from 2007 to 2009.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among a host of political leaders condoling Tiwari`s death. 

Kovind in his message hailed Tiwari`s contribution to the development and public welfare of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 

"A towering leader, he was known for his administrative skills. He will be remembered for his efforts towards industrial growth and working for the progress of UP & Uttarakhand, a state he steered in its initial days," tweeted Modi. 

Shah in his message said Tiwari`s death was an irreparable loss to Indian politics. 

"Today we mourn the loss of one of our strongest leaders," the Congress tweeted. 

Meanwhile, a three-day state mourning has been declared in Uttarakhand as a mark of respect for the departed leader.