Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Former State president of BJP and veteran party leader Daya Krishan Kotwal breathed his last after a prolonged illness at AIMS, New Delhi this morning. He was 85. The end came at 7.30 am and the family members of Mr Kotwal were by the bed side.
Soon after hearing the news of his demise, senior BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, L K Advani, BJP national president Raj Nath Singh, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and other senior BJP leaders rushed to AIMS to convey their condolences to the departed leader’s family.
Mr Kotwal was a contemporary and close associate of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. He was associated with Praja Parishad and Bharatiya Jana Sangh movements in the state in his teen age. He remained president of State BJP from year 1996 to 2002 –the most challenging period of the militancy and turmoil in the state. He was also elected to Upper House and remained its member from 1996 to 2000.
He played a distinctive role in preventing communal divide among the Hindus and Muslim communities in the erstwhile Doda district and succeeded in preventing migration from the district. He was equally respected by members of all communities in erstwhile Doda district.
His body was flown in Spice Jet aircraft from New Delhi to Jammu this afternoon and it was kept at State BJP Headquarters for two hours for darshan where party leaders and activists paid a touching adieu to him.
His cremation will take place at his ancestral cremation ground in Bhadarwah tomorrow at 11-30 am.
Advani, alongwith National General Secretary (Org) Ram Lal, National General Secretary J.P. Nadda and other party activists laid down their wreaths at the body of Mr Kotwal at AIMS earlier.
In a condolence message from New Delhi, Mr Advani, while expressing his condolence, said that Mr Kotwal played an important role in Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookherjee’s efforts for total integration of J&K with India. He always worked to boost the morale of party activists even in unfavourable conditions and his demise has caused irreparable loss. BJP National President Rajnath Singh, leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swraj, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and other national leaders also condoled the sad demise.
Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in his condolence message said “ I have learned with profound sorrow about the tragic demise of Mr Kotwal and my heart goes out in sympathy to the members of the bereaved family. We have lost a seasoned politician who throughout his life upheld the values of honesty and probity’’.
Expressing his grief and shock over the untimely demise of Mr Kotwal, Mr Azad said that irrespective of his political affiliation and ideological disposition, he always gave precedence to social relations and human values. He also prayed for the eternal peace of departed soul.
BJP State President & MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma said that in his death the party has lost a veteran and most seasoned leader and his loss cannot be made up. National Executive Member Dr. Nirmal Singh said that Kotwal was an embodiment of dedication and selfless struggle for the party and its ideology.
National Executive Member & MLA Ashok Khajuria while paying tributes to Mr Kotwal said that he had risen from a humble worker of the party to the presidentship of the entire state through his struggle for the party and its cause. National Executive Member Shamsher Singh Manhas said that his contribution in strengthening the party in whole of the state had been pivotal.
National Executive Member & State Chief Spokesperson, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that with the demise of Kotwalji, an era has come to an end and he was the last of the stalwarts from that generation.
State General Secretary (Ogr. ) Ashok Koul recalled the services of Mr. Kotwal for the organization of the party and Sangh Parivar.
Besides, VHP President Rama Kant Dubey, ABVP National Vice-president Prof. Narinder Singh Raina, SOS Internation Head Rajiv Chuni, BJP leaders Yudhvir Sethi and others paid their tributes to late leader.
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