President, PM and others condole death of Suraj Bhan

New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam Azad and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today condoled the death of former Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Suraj Bhan who died at All India Institute of Medical Sciences here this evening following multiple organ failure.

''He will be remembered for his contribution to public life over the past decade durin which he occupied several position,'' Dr Kalam said in a condolence message to the members of the bereaved family.

The Prime Minister in his message hailed Bhan as a champion of the Scheduled Castes.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said, ''Mr Suraj Bhan always struggled for the betterment and welfare of dalits and weaker sections of society. He always remained active in social life and fulfilled his responsibilities very well remaining on different posts. He was well familiar with Urdu language and literature. In his death, society has suffered an irreparable loss.'' Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda described him as a seasoned parliamentarian and an able administrator.

''He devoted whole of his life for the betterment of the scheduled and backward classes. He was elected four times to the Parliament and held a number of important offices, including Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh, Central Minister and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha. His contribution towards the uplift of the downtrodden and poor people of the society would always be remembered for long time,'' Mr Hooda said.

Haryana Governor A R Kidwai said in his death, the country had lost a leading parliamentarian and staunch supporter of deprived sections of the society. He said Bhan had strived hard to bring about social awakening in the country.

In his condolence message, Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan said Bhan worked throughout his life for the welfare of deprived sections of the society. He said he had adorned various offices as Governor of many States and he also remained the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.

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