C'garh Prominent tribal leader ex-MLA Hira Singh Markam dies

    Korba, Oct 28 (PTI) Founder of Gondwana Gantantra
Party (GGP) and former MLA Hira Singh Markam died on Wednesday
after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Bilaspur district
of Chhattisgarh, a party leader said.
    He was 79.
    "Markam, who was suffering from age-related ailments,
was admitted to a private hospital in Bilaspur. He breathed
his last there around 6 pm," said Kuldip Singh Markam, vice
president of GGP's Chhattisgarh unit.
    He is survived by his wife and two sons, he said.
    Aprominent tribal leader from central Chhattisgarh,
Markam was elected as an MLA for the first time in 1985 from
Tanakhar constituency in undivided Madhya Pradesh on a BJP
ticket.
    He floated his own party GGP in 1991 and later got
elected as an MLA twice in 1996 and 1998 from the same
Tanakhar seat which now falls in Korba district, he said.
    He served as the national president of GGP since its
formation before recently handing over the post to his elder
son Tuleshwar Singh Markam, he added.
    His final rites will be held on Thursday at his native
place Tivarta village in Korba district, he said.
    Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed grief over
Markam's death, an official statement here said. PTI COR TKP
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)