Himachal minister Karan Singh dies at AIIMS, cremated (Lead)

New Delhi/Shimla May 12 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Minister Karan Singh died early on Friday while undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi his family said. He was 60.

He is survived by his wife and a son.

The mortal remains of the three-time legislator and Ayurveda and Cooperation Minister in the Virbhadra Singh Cabinet were consigned to flames at his native place in Kullu later in the day.

The Congress Minister was suffering from liver and throat ailments.

A member of the erstwhile Kullu royal family Karan Singh was the younger brother of Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Maheshwar Singh.

He was inducted into the Cabinet in August 2015. He was Education Minister in the BJP government from 1998-2003.

Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh expressed grief over Karan Singh s demise.

The Chief Minister said Karan Singh dedicated his life for public welfare especially in Kullu district.

Karan Singh represented Banjar constituency three times and joined the Congress in 2009 after remaining in the BJP for nearly 27 years.

--IANS
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