Uttar Pradesh minister Kamal Rani Varun, who had tested positive for Covid-19, passed away in Lucknow on Sunday. She was 62.
Kamal Rani, who tested positive for the coronavirus on July 18, passed away at 9.30am at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, according to a statementreleased by the UP government.
The minister of technical education in the Yogi Adityanath government was also a member of the 11th and 12th Lok Sabha. She was an MLA from Ghatampur constituency in Kanpur.
“Kamal Rani Varun respected public aspirations as a minister. As a minister, she made commendable contribution in efficiently discharging departmental functions,” tweeted UP chief minister’s office.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was set to review the preparation for the Ram temple ‘bhoomi poojan’ ceremony on August 5, cancelled his visit to Ayodhya today following the news of Kamal Rani’s demise.
“I express my deepest condolences to the family of Cabinet Minister Kamala Rani Varun. She was COVID-19 positive and was receiving treatment at SGPGI Hospital. She was a popular public leader and a social worker. She worked efficiently while being the part of the Cabinet,” the CM said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who tested Covid-19 positive last week and is being treated currently, also conveyed his condolence message.
“Sad news of untimely demise of cabinet minister Kamal Rani ji in Uttar Pradesh government. I pray to God for the peace of the departed soul and the strength of the family to bear this profound sorrow,” Chouhan tweeted.
Uttar Pradesh has reported 1,677 deaths due to Covid-19 so far. The total number of cases in the state stands at 89,068.
