Veteran Cong politician Sat Mahajan dies

Earlier,Mahajan had also suffered from kidney problem.

One of Himachal Pradesh’s top political and social figures,Mahajan had been Cabinet minister thrice in the Virbhadra Singh government. He was also known as “Field Marshal” in the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh .

“He was,not only a politician,but an institution of sorts. His death is a shock and also marks end of an era,” said former PCC president Viplove Thakur and AICC secretary Asha Kumari,paying their tributes Mahajan.

Born on July 27,1927 at Nurpur,Kangra District,Mahajan was elected to the state Assembly five times and also to the Lok Sabha in 1996. He was president of the state Congress for three terms.

Survived by a son,Ajay Mahajan, and a daughter Mahajan had lost his wife three years back.

An ardent social activist,Mahajan had started his career as student leader. His electoral politics started in Nurpur when he was elected to the Municipal Committee as its president – a post he held five consecutive terms. He is the founder member of Indian Youth Congress.

Mahajan took retirement from the electoral politics in 2007,at the time when he was sitting minister. He was on some of the key committees of the Congress,including newly-formed campaign Committee of the party for upcoming polls.

Mahajan had held portfolios like revenue,transport,IPH and rural development and Panchayat raj. He is considered as legend of rural development in states.