Rajasthan BJP MLA Kalyan Singh passes away after prolonged illness​, Assembly adjourned for the day

Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kalyan Singh Chouhan passed away at the GBH American Hospital in Udaipur after prolonged illness today.

He was 58 years old and is survived by wife, four sons and two daughters.

Singh, an MLA from Nathdwara constituency in Rajsamand district, was suffering from cancer since last three years. On Tuesday night, when his health deteriorated he was taken to the hospital in Udaipur. He died early today, a party spokesperson said.

His funeral will be performed in Dagwada village near Nathdwara today.

Speaker Kailash Meghwal condoled the aggrieved family members and the House observed two-minute silence following which it was adjourned for the day.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, BJP state president Ashok Parnami, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, and others condoled the death.

Raje in her condolence message said that Chauhan was inseparable part of the BJP and his demise was a loss to her and the party. She is scheduled to visit and meet the grieved family members in Nathdwara today.

"Sad to learn the demise of Nathdwara BJP MLA  Kalyan Singh Chauhan. My heartfelt condolences to his family members," Gehlot tweeted.

With the demise of Chauhan, the number of BJP legislators in the House of 200 has further reduced to 159 from 160.  Recently, BJP lost one seat to Congress in bypolls held last month, following the death of the BJP MLA from Mandalgarh constituency.

The win had increased Congress tally in the House from 24 to 25.

In 2008-assembly elections, in which Congress had emerged victorious and formed the state government led by Ashok Gehlot, Chauhan had defeated the Congress candidate C P Joshi on Nathdwara seat by just one vote.

Chauhan had got 62, 216 votes. Joshi, the president of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee that time, was a front runner for chief ministership. 

In 2013, Chouhan won against Devkinandan Gurjar and retained the seat. 

(With PTI inputs)