5-time Lansdowne MLA Bharat Rawat dead

Tribune News Service

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Dehradun, March 1

Five-time Lansdowne MLA and veteran BJP leader Bharat Singh Rawat passed away around noon today. He was keeping indisposed for quite some time. He was 84.

Bharat breathed his last at his Kumbhichaur residence in Lansdowne around noon. He was suffering from cancer and was being treated at the Himalayan Hospital, Jollygrant, Dehradun. He is survived by four sons, including sitting BJP legislator from Lansdowne Dilip Singh Rawat.

A large number of people reached Kumbhichaur to pay their respects to Bharat, who has been legislator from the constituency five times during undivided Uttar Pradesh.

Bharat was born in Chaprait village in Bichla Badalpur patti in the Rikhnikhal block of Pauri Garhwal district in 1934. He started his career as a teacher in Central School, Lansdowne. He later became a social activist and was elected legislator from the Lansdowne constituency. He represented Lansdowne in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly five times. He had also been vice-chairman of the state planning commission.

Meanwhile, condolences from all over the state started pouring in. Chief Minister Harish Rawat has expressed sorrow over Bharat’s demise. “He was a people’s leader and worked for the welfare of public with utmost dedication. Bharat Singh Rawat’s contribution to public life and his role in the development of Uttarakhand is commendable, “ he said.

State Congress president Kishore Upadhyay too in his condolence message described Bharat’s passing away as a great loss to Uttarakhand. “His death has created a void that cannot be filled,” he said.

Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank also expressed sorrow over Bharat’s death. He said Bharat Rawat always worked for the betterment of people and led a simple life.