Former Delhi BJP president Mange Lal Garg passes away; Modi, Nadda condole his demise

Former Delhi BJP president Mange Ram Garg passed away on Sunday morning. He was ailing and breathed his last at 7:30 am at a private hospital, his family said in a statement.

The body will be placed at his residence in Ashok Vihar at 11:30 am and later shifted to the Delhi BJP headquarters where it will be kept between 12 pm to 1 pm for people to pay homage.

The statement said the body will be donated to a hospital according to his wish.

Garg, who was considered close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was elected to the Delhi Legislative Assembly in 2003.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday condoled the demise of the veteran BJP leader, saying he played an important role in strengthening the party in the national capital.

"Shri Mange Ram Garg Ji had a deep connect with Delhi and that was seen in the manner in which he selflessly served the people of the city. He played a pivotal role in strengthening BJP in Delhi," the prime minister tweeted.

Modi said Garg's demise was saddening and his thoughts are with his family and supporters. 

In a tweet, BJP working president JP Nadda also condoled Garg's death saying it was an "irreparable loss" to the party. 

He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family. 

(With inputs from ANI)