Former MLA Jagdish Raj Spolia dies in Kathua at age 80
Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed grief over the death of the two-time Basohli representative following a prolonged illness.
Former MLA Jagdish Raj Spolia passed away at his residence in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening, according to the Daily Excelsior.
Spolia died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, his family said on Monday.
A two-time MLA from the Basohli constituency, Spolia was first elected to the Assembly in 1987 on a Congress ticket before joining the BJP in 1999.
He returned to the Assembly in 2008 on a BJP ticket, later rejoined the Congress, and unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Assembly elections before returning to the BJP.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh described the news as "extremely heartbreaking and soul-wrenching" on X, stating that Spolia's commitment to public service and regional development will be remembered.
His last rites were performed at Shanti Ghat in Basohli on Monday forenoon in the presence of many people.