Veteran BJP leader and former Union minister Chaman Lal Gupta passed away after a prolonged illness at his residence in Jammu on Tuesday.
Gupta was 87 years old.
According to his family, Gupta, who tested positive for Covid19 on May 5, returned home from Narayana hospital on Sunday after successful treatment.
A media report quoted his elder son Anil Gupta as saying: “He had tested positive for COVID-19 on May 5 and returned from Narayana hospital on Sunday after successful treatment.”
“His condition suddenly deteriorated in the wee hours and he breathed his last around 5.10 am,” Anil Gupta added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president JP Nadda, Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and other leaders have expressed deep condolences at the demise of the former Union minister.
“Shri Chaman Lal Gupta Ji will be remembered for numerous community service efforts. He was a dedicated legislator and strengthened the BJP across Jammu and Kashmir. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” PM Modi tweeted.
Shri Chaman Lal Gupta Ji will be remembered for numerous community service efforts. He was a dedicated legislator and strengthened the BJP across Jammu and Kashmir. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2021
“Shocked to hear about the demise of sr BJP leader & former Union Minister prof Chaman Lal Gupta Ji. He played an important role in strengthening the party in Jammu & Kashmir. It’s an irrecoverable loss for us. My condolences to the family & supporters in this sad time. Om Shanti,” Nadda wrote on his Twitter handle.
Shocked to hear about the demise of sr BJP leader & former Union Minister prof Chaman Lal Gupta Ji. He played an important role in strengthening the party in Jammu & Kashmir. It’s an irrecoverable loss for us. My condolences to the family & supporters in this sad time. Om Shanti
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) May 18, 2021
J&K Lt Governor tweeted: “Deeply pained to hear about the passing away of Former Union Minister, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta ji. A seasoned politician & a widely respected public figure, his demise is a great loss to the political sphere.”
Deeply pained to hear about the passing away of Former Union Minister, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta ji. A seasoned politician & a widely respected public figure, his demise is a great loss to the political sphere.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) May 18, 2021
The former Union minister is survived by his two sons and a daughter.
He was born in Jammu on April 13, 1934.
According to a report, Gupta was not in good health for the last couple of years and was suffering from various ailments.
Gupta became a member of the J&K Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1972.
He was again a member of J&K Legislative Assembly between 2008 and 2014.
Gupta won the Lok Sabha election from Udhampur constituency of Jammu in 1996.
He was re-elected to the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha in 1998 and 1999.
Gupta served as Union minister of state for civil aviation between October 13, 1999 and September 1, 2001.
He served as Union minister of state (independent charge) for food processing industries from September 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002.
Gupta also served as Union minister of state for defence from July 1, 2002 to 2004.
A two-time J&K BJP president, Gupta was also an author of three books in Hindi.