BJP leader dies in Chhattisgarh

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Aug 12 (UNI) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former mayor Ashok Pingle died in the wee hours today at a private hospital here.

He was 62.

Pingle -- a bachelor -- was hospitalised, after suffering cardiac arrest on August 2, and underwent angioplasty. His condition deteriorated yesterday afternoon, he suffered another attack in the night and was placed on ventilator. Doctors confirmed death at 0300 hrs.

Associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh since his student days, Pingle worked for the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in Raipur before moving here. He served as BJP general secretary, this district's BJP president and Bilaspur Nagarik Sahakari Bank chairman.

Party sources said that the cremation would take place today.

UNI XC-AC 1651