ND Tiwari, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, died at Max Healthcare Hospital in Delhi’s Saket on Thursday, ANI reported. He died on his birthday at the age of 93.

Tiwari suffered a heart attack and died at 2.50 pm, PTI reported. “ND Tiwari was admitted at Max hospital, Saket for several months and was undergoing treatment for complications related to a brain stroke,” Max Healthcare said.

The Uttarakhand government announced a three-day mourning period, ANI reported. The national flag will be flown at half mast in all government offices throughout the state. No official function will be held during the mourning period.

Tiwari suffered a stroke in September 2017 and was placed on life support two months later. In July this year, his health deteriorated and he was shifted to the intensive care unit of the hospital.

Tiwari remains the only person to have served as chief minister of two Indian states. He also served as the minister for external affairs in the Rajiv Gandhi Cabinet. In 2009, he had resigned as the governor of Andhra Pradesh after a local TV news channel broadcast videos purportedly showing him getting intimate with three women inside the Raj Bhavan.

During former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao’s tenure, Tiwari had formed the Congress (T), a breakaway faction with veteran Congress leader Arjun Singh in 1995.

Condolences pour in

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to Tiwari’s family. “A towering leader, he was known for his administrative skills,” Modi tweeted. “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.”

President Ram Nath Kovind said, “Sad to hear of the passing of veteran political figure and former Union minister Shri ND Tiwari. As chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and later Uttarakhand, he contributed much to development and public welfare.”

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote a letter to Tiwari’s wife, Ujwala, condoling his death. “His services to the nation as chief ministers of two states, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Union minister of external affairs and finance minister and as governor of the state of Andhra Pradesh will always be remembered for a long time to come,” Singh wrote.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said the Tiwari’s death was a “personal loss” to him. “Uttarakhand will never forget his contributions,” Rawat said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath said he was saddened by Tiwari’s death, ANI reported. “I offer my deepest condolences to his family and pray that his soul rests in peace,” Adityanath said. “He will always be remembered as an able administrator.”

Bharatiya Janata Party National President Amit Shah described Tiwari’s death as a “irreplaceable loss” for the nation. “I express my condolences to the family and loved ones of Narayan Dutt Tiwari Ji and pray for the peace of the departed spirit,” Shah tweeted.

The Congress also offered its condolences to the former party leader’s family. “Today we mourn the loss of one of our strongest leaders. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of ND Tiwari,” the party tweeted.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee said he had lost a friend and the nation had lost one of its leaders who were closely associated with building the nation “post-Nehruvian era”.