By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 14 Oct: Senior BJP leader and former cabinet minister of Uttarakhand, Kedar Singh Fonia passed away today. He had been unwell for a long time. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, former Chief Minister and Pauri MP Tirath Singh Rawat and Pradesh Congress Chief Karan Mahra were among those who expressed grief at his death.
Fonia’s son, Vinod Fonia was an Indian Foreign Service cadre officer, who also served as Secretary in the Uttarakhand Government on deputation, before taking voluntary retirement from service.
Kedar Singh Fonia had remained active in the politics of Uttarakhand for more than two decades. He was a cabinet minister in Uttarakhand as well as in undivided Uttar Pradesh. He also played an important role in the Uttarakhand statehood agitation and was also a signatory to the UP Government’s Order as a minister in the undivided Uttar Pradesh issued in October 1992 for acquisition of land for the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
Fonia was respected and loved across the political spectrum due to his humble and generous nature and the news of his death sent a shock wave through the BJP, in particular.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami tweeted his condolences saying that he was shocked to learn about the passing away of a very senior BJP leader. The CM later also visited the residence of Fonia in Nehru Colony to offer his tribute.
Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan also expressed shock at Fonia’s death. She said that the contribution of Fonia in the development of Uttarakhand and in the party organisation would always be remembered. She also prayed for strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss.
It may be recalled that her father and former Chief Minister BC Khanduri is known to be a childhood friend of Fonia.
Many other BJP leaders as well as leaders of other political parties have also condoled the passing away of Fonia.
