Senior BJP leader Keshari Nath Tripathi passes away; PM Modi, UP CM Yogi condole

Lucknow, Jan 08: Senior BJP leader and former speaker of Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly Keshari Nath Tripathi passed away in Prayagraj on Sunday. He breathed his last around 5 am.

"Keshari Nath Tripathi had recently fallen in his house following which he broke his collarbone. Three days ago, he came back home after being discharged from a hospital. Today (on Sunday) at around 5.00 am, he breathed his last," his daughter-in-law Kavita Yadav Tripathi said.

Born on November 10, 1934, in Allahabad, Tripathi served as the Governor of West Bengal from July 2014 to July 2019. Before that, he also had additional charges for short stints as the Governor of Bihar, Meghalaya and Mizoram. He was a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly six times and was the Cabinet minister of institutional finance and sales tax in the state during the Janata Party regime from 1977 to 1979.

A poet and author, Tripathi had practised as a senior advocate at Allahabad High Court and was the BJP president in Uttar Pradesh for some time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolence over the death and said that he played a key role in building BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

"Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi Ji was respected for his service and intellect. He was well versed in Constitutional matters. He played a key role in building BJP in UP and worked hard for the state's progress. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," the PM wrote on Twitter.

Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi Ji was respected for his service and intellect. He was well versed in Constitutional matters. He played a key role in building BJP in UP and worked hard for the state’s progress. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/mQqirPTPvy

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 8, 2023

Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath expressed his pain over the passing away of the UP leader and tweeted, "The demise of respected Keshari Nath Tripathi, former Governor of Bengal is very sad. May Lord Shri Ram give the departed pious soul a place in his holy feet and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti!,"

Expressing condolence over the passing away of Tripathi, former Speaker of UP Legislative Assembly, Hriday Narayan Dixit tweeted in Hindi, "Deeply pained by the death of senior BJP leader, former Governor of West Bengal and former Speaker of UP Legislative Assembly -- respected Keshari Nath Tripathi ji."

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also condoled the death of the veteran leader. He described Tripathi as "pride of Prayagraj" and "our patron".