Veteran political leader N D Tiwari dies on his 93rd birthday

The only politician to have served as Chief Minister of two states -- UP and Uttarakhand -- he was external affairs minister in Raji Gandhi's cabinet, and had also served as Andhra Pradesh Governor

Congress veteran Narayan Dutt Tiwari, who served in various positions at the Centre and in states, died on his birthday at a private hospital here on Thursday after a prolonged illness, doctors said.

Tiwari, who was undergoing treatment at Max Super Speciality Hospital, breathed his last at 2.50 pm after he suffered a heart attack, hours after he turned 93, they said.

He was admitted to the hospital in September last year after suffering a brain stroke. A team of doctors had been monitoring his condition.

Tiwari had the unique distinction of having served as the chief minister of two states, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where his native place is located.

He formed Congress (T), the breakaway faction of the Congress, along with veteran Congress leader Arjun Singh in 1995 during the tenure of the then prime minister P V Narasimha Rao.

However, he later merged his party with the Congress when Sonia Gandhi took charge of the party.

The Congress old-timer had served as a Union minister in several party-led governments. He was a three-time chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. He was also the Uttarakhand chief minister from 2002-2007.

From 2007 until 2009, he served as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh but was forced to resign following a sex scandal. He had joined the BJP in January last year ahead of Assembly elections in Uttarakhand.

Tiwari was born on October 18, 1925, in Nainital and held a law degree from Allahabad University.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of various parties expressed grief over his demise.

"Saddened by the passing away of Shri ND Tiwari Ji. A towering leader, he was known for his administrative skills. He will be remembered for his efforts towards industrial growth & working for the progress of UP & Uttarakhand, a state he steered in its initial days," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath too conveyed their condolences.

Rawat said Tiwari's death was a "personal loss".

"The void left in Indian politics by his departure will be very difficult to fill," he said, adding, Tiwari had served as country's finance minister and foreign minister too.

"Uttarakhand will never forget his contributions," Rawat tweeted.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also condoled the death of the party veteran.

"My deepest condolences on the passing away of veteran Congress leader, Former Union Minister, Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand, Shri N D Tiwari ji," he tweeted.