Former Bihar chief minister Ram Sundar Das passes away

He is survived by two sons and one daughter. His wife passed away earlier.

Upon learning of Das’s death, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar rushed to his home at Kankarbagh in Patna. Kumar also announced a state funeral for Das.

Das was chief minister of Bihar as the head of the Janata Party government in 1979.

He had defeated Ram Vilas Paswan in the Hajipur (SC) Lok Sabha seat in 2009, but in the parliamentary polls last year, had lost to the latter.

Das’s funeral will take place tomorrow at Bansghat on the banks of the Ganga river.

Chief Minister Kumar, who cancelled a Holi gathering at his residence following news of Das’s demise, announced two days of state mourning as a mark of respect for the senior JD(U) leader.

In his condolence message, Kumar said that Das was like his guardian and his death was a personal loss to him.

Das had a long track record of social work and always endeavoured for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden of the society.

Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also expressed grief over Das’s death.

Food Minister Shyam Rajak rushed to Das’s home upon learning of Das’s death.