Former LS Speaker Bali Ram Bhagat dies

New Delhi, Jan.2 (ANI): Former Lok Sabha Speaker Bali Ram Bhagat died on early Sunday morning at the Apollo hospital in New Delhi.

Bhagat was 89 years-old and is survived by his wife Vidhya Bhagat, a son and a daughter.

He breathed his last at 2.30 a.m. in the hospital where he was receiving treatment for kidney and lever ailments, an aide said.

Bhagat was elected Speaker of the fifth Lok Sabha on January 5, 1976 when the country was under Emergency.

A veteran Parliamentarian with vast administrative experience, Bhagat remained in the post for a year.

Born on October 7, 1922 in Mahandi Ganj area of Patna, he did his graduation from Patna College and later obtained a Masters Degree in Economics from Patna University.

He was also the Governor of Himachal Pradesh in 1993 and Governor of Rajasthan from 1993 to 1998. For a short spell, he was the Minister of External Affairs in Rajiv Gandhi's Government in 1985-86.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar were among leaders who expressed grief over Bhagat's demise. (ANI)