UNION MINISTER BALYAN’S COUSIN DIES OF COVID, ANOTHER SERIOUS

LUCKNOW: Union minister Sanjeev Balyan’s cousin Jitender Balyan, 50, who was elected the gram pradhan of Kutbi village in Muzaffarnagar in the recently held panchayat polls, died of Covid-19 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh on Tuesday morning.

Jitender’s elder brother Rahul, 58, too is infected and is undergoing treatment at AIIMS, Rishikesh. The union minister, who is also the Muzaffarnagar MP, escorted his brother’s body to their native village in Muzaffarnagar on Tuesday where it was cremated. The rural polls, many villagers believe, played a role in fast spreading Covid infection in villages.

Expressing his grief over the untimely demise of Jitender Balyan, chief minister Yogi Adityanath prayed for the peace of the departed soul.

“Both brothers of the union minister took ill after the threetier panchayat polls. While Jitender succumbed, Rahul continues to be serious,” Dr Jitender Kumar, a family doctor and friend of Balyans, who is based out of Kutbi village said over the phone. “Jitender was admitted to AIIMS, Rishikesh, after he showed symptoms. His condition deteriorated after admission and continued to worsen,” Dr Kumar added.