N D Tiwari, only politician to have served as CM of two states, passes away aged 93

A host of leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former PM Manmohan Singh, have condoled the demise of Tiwari.

Tiwari, who joined the Congress in 1963, was the only Indian politician to have served as chief minister of two states, Uttar Pradesh and later Uttarakhand. A Kumauni Brahmin, Tiwari first became chief minister of UP in 1976. His close ties to the Gandhi family, namely Indira and Sanjay Gandhi, helped him take over the post from Veer Bahadur Singh. READ | Who was N D Tiwari?

Hours before N D Tiwari’s death, his son Rohit celebrated Tiwari’s 93rd birthday today with a cake. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/vARLz7NmuH

— Hamza Khan (@Hamzwa) October 18, 2018

In 1984, Tiwari became the UP CM for the second time. While in power, he led the Congress to victory in the state elections held months after Indira Gandhi’s assassination the same year. However, Rajiv Gandhi replaced him within months of the victory.

ND Tiwari first became chief minister of UP in 1976. His close ties to the Gandhi family, namely Indira and Sanjay Gandhi, helped him take over the post from Veer Bahadur Singh. (Express archive photo)

Tiwari came back to power in UP for the third time in 1988. However, the Congress suffered a historic defeat in 1989 and has struggled to regain hold of the state since — it has been 28 years. All three of Tiwari’s terms as CM were very brief, not lasting more than a year each.

Today we mourn the loss of one of our strongest leaders. Our thoughts & prayers are with the family & friends of ND Tiwari. pic.twitter.com/LP7MNUOJcX

— Congress (@INCIndia) October 18, 2018

Tiwari was elected to both Houses of Parliament during his days in the Congress. In 1980, he was elected to the 7th Lok Sabha. He held several portfolios during his tenure. In 1985, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha. He also served as Minister of External Affairs in Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s cabinet, from 1986-87.

Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi being received by his cabinet colleagues, Chief Ministers and others at Delhi airport on June 18, 1985 on his return from official visit abroad. SB Chavan, ND Tiwari and Arjun Singh also seen in the picture. (Express archive photo)

In 2002, the Congress stalwart became chief minister of Uttarakhand. He is the only chief minister in the state to complete a five-year term.

Saddened by the passing away of Shri ND Tiwari Ji. A towering leader, he was known for his administrative skills. He will be remembered for his efforts towards industrial growth & working for the progress of UP & Uttarakhand, a state he steered in its initial days. My condolences

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 18, 2018

Tiwari also served as Governor of Andhra Pradesh between 2007 and 2009. He resigned after a sting operation allegedly showing him in a compromising position at Raj Bhavan with three women was released. He thereafter resigned cited his health as the reason.

Photos | N D Tiwari passes away: A look back at his long political career

Tiwari was also embroiled in a controversy after lawyer Rohit Shekhar filed a paternity suit claiming Tiwari was his biological father. In his petition to the Delhi High Court, Shekhar claimed he was born out of an illegitimate relationship between the Congress veteran and his mother Ujjwala. Denying the charge, Tiwari initially refused to undergo DNA tests, but was later ordered to by the HC. The tests confirmed Rohit was his biological son. The Delhi HC passed an order on the same in 2014.

In January last year, ahead of the Uttarakhand Assembly elections, Tiwari and Rohit joined the BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah.