Senior Congress leader dead

Senior Congress leader and one of the prominent Dalit faces of the party in Uttar Pradesh,Mahavir Prasad,died at his residence in South Delhi on Sunday. Prasad,71,was not keeping well for some time and had kept himself away from the politics after last Lok Sabha elections in 2009,which he lost from Bansgaon seat in Uttar Pradesh.

Prasad had won the Lok Sabha elections for four times. He served as Union Minister for Small Scale Industries during last UPA regime and functioned as UP president for the party for a long time.

His death is a big blow to the party,which is planning its strategies for 2012 Assembly elections in the state.

Chief Minister Mayawati has condoled the death of Prasad. In her message,she said Prasad’s contribution to the society would be always remembered. According to a press release,issued by Information and Public Relation Department,his last rites will be performed in Barhalganj in Gorakhpur district on Monday.