Hindustan Times (Patiala)

FORMER KARNAL MP ASHWINI CHOPRA DEAD

- HT Correspond­ent letterschd@hindustant­imes.com ■

KARNAL: Senior journalist and former BJP MP from Karnal, Ashwini Chopra, died at a private hospital in Gurgaon on Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 63. Chopra, who was the editor of Punjab Kesari, Delhi, was suffering from ‘terminal cancer’ and had been admitted to the Medanta Hospital about three weeks ago. He passed away in the afternoon, his family said. The media baron was elected as an MP from Karnal in 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and Khattar condoled Chopra’s death.

KARNAL: Senior journalist and former BJP MP from Karnal Ashwini Chopra died at a private hospital in Gurgaon on Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 63.

Chopra, who was the editor of Punjab Kesari, Delhi, was suffering from ‘terminal cancer’ and had been admitted to the Medanta Hospital about three weeks ago. He passed away in the afternoon, his family said.

The media baron-turned journalist was elected as an MP from Karnal in 2014. Popularly known as ‘Minna’, he was a promising cricketer in his youth. Chopra leaves behind his wife and three children.His cremation will take place at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi on Sunday.

Chopra remained a vocal critic of chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and never hesitated to criticise the BJP government in Haryana over various issues.

His tenure as MP was marred by controvers­ies. He faced criticism for not being visible in the constituen­cy for most part of his tenure.

MODI, SONIA, KHATTAR CONDOLE HIS DEATH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and Khattar condoled Chopra’s death.

“Anguished by the passing away of Shri Ashwini Kumar ChopraJi. He will be remembered for his contributi­on to the media world. He worked diligently as a public representa­tive” Modi tweeted. Sonia said Chopra’s long and distinguis­hed innings as an editor, as a social worker and as a MP will be long remembered. In a tweet, Khattar described him as a successful politician and journalist. Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh said Chopra championed the cause of press freedom.

 ??  ?? ■
Ashwini Chopra
■ Ashwini Chopra

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India