Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Uttarakhand Assembly Indira Hridayesh passed away on Sunday following a heart attack. She was 80.
As per a report, Hridayesh breathed her last in Delhi's Uttarakhand Sadan today morning. She arrived in the national capital on Saturday to part in organisational meetings for 2022 assembly polls.
A former MLA from Haldwani in the Nainital district, Hridayesh was a prominent face of the partyin the Kumaon region and a contender of the party's CM face in the state.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief on the veteran Congress leader's death and said she was "at the forefront of several community service efforts".
"Dr Indira Hridayesh Ji was at the forefront of several community service efforts. She made a mark as an effective legislator and also had rich administrative experience. Saddened by her demise. Condolences to her family and supporters," the Prime Minister's office tweeted.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted saying Hriyadesh was a strong pillar in the Uttarakhand Congress unit.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also expressed condolences.
Hridayesh was a member of the legislative council in undivided Uttar Pradesh for five times. She was elected MLA in Uttarakhand in 2002, 2012, and 2017. She served as a cabinet minister in the governments of ND Tiwari, Vijay Bahuguna, and Harish Rawat.