Congress’ former Jharkhand unit chief dead

RANCHI - The Congress’ former Jharkhand unit chief Thomas Hansda died in a Kolkata hospital Monday after a prolonged kidney disease, party officials said.

Hansda, who had a kidney transplant in 2003, was admitted to the hospital earlier this month.

A two-time legislator who served a term as Lok Sabha member from Rajmahal, Hansda, despite being tribal, was elected as legislator and MP from a general seat. He was the first chief of the Congress in the state after it was carved out of Bihar in 2000.

State Congress chief Pradeep Balmuchu has expressed grief over Hansda’s death. “The death of Thomas Hansda is a big loss for the party and it will be difficult to fill his position,” he said.

“Hansda’s body will be brought from Kolkata to Pakur district where his last rites will be performed. Senior Congress leaders will attend the last rites,” state Congress spokesman Shailesh Sinha told IANS.

A condolence meeting will be held at the state Congress office Tuesday, Sinha said.