Veteran socialist leader and Lok Sabha member Ram Awadesh Singh passes away at a private hospital in Patna

PATNA: Veteran socialist leader, former MP and former president of the erstwhile Lok Dal, Ram Awadhesh Singh (83) breathed his last at a private hospital in the state capital here.
He is survived by his wife, four sons, lone daughter and grandchildren.
A strong follower of Ram Manohar Lohia, Singh was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bikramganj constituency as the Janata Party candidate in 1977. He later became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1986. Earlier, he was elected as a member of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha as the Samyukta Socialist Party candidate in 1969.
Known as a strong fighter for the cause of backward classes, Singh’s long agitation led to the constitution of the Mandal Commission. Singh later became a member of the National Commission for Backward Classes.
“Ram Awadhesh became president of the Lok Dal after the death of its former president Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna in 1989,” Singh’s close associate and socialist activist Rajesh Dubey told TOI.
Mourning his death, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Monday said, “Ram Awadesh Singh was a leading leader for the causes of social justice. He played a very important role as a member of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. He played a very important role in the constitution of the Mandal Commission. His death has caused an irreparable loss in socio-political circles.”
In a statement, the CM also said that the district administrations of Patna and Bhojpur have been given necessary instruction for the last rites of the departed leader as per the protocol.