BJP's Bangaru Laxman Dies At 74

Former BJP President Bangaru Laxman died after a prolonged illness at Yashoda Hospital, Secunderabad, on Saturday.

He was 74, and is survived by his wife, one son and three daughters.

Born in 1939, Bangaru Laxman had served as the Minister of State for Railways from 1999 to 2000.

He was then elevated to the post of national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (2000-2001), but he was forced to resign following Tehelka's sting operation on corruption in defense deals.

Laxman was sentenced to four years in jail on 28 April, 2012. He was convicted for taking bribe from fake arms dealers in exchange for his recommendations to the defense ministry to award them a contract to supply thermal binoculars to the Army.

Soon after the judgment, Bangaru Laxman had resigned from the party's National Executive. Later, he was granted bail under Justice A K Pathak with a bail bond of Rs. 50,000.

Bangaru Laxman did his BA and LLB in Hyderabad. His wife Susheela Laxman Bangaru was elected as a member of 14th Lok Sabha from Jalore constituency in Rajasthan as a BJP candidate.

Former Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy, state BJP president G Kishan Reddy and other leaders expressed condolences over Bangaru Laxman's death. (INN)