Kapoor was first elected to assembly in year 1989 and maintained the winning streak
Monday, 13 December 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
Harbans Kapoor, one of the senior most and most respected leaders in Uttarakhand who was elected MLA for eight times has died. He was 75 years old and a BJP MLA from Dehradun Cantt assembly constituency.
In a political career spanning five decades, Kapoor registered his first electoral victory in the assembly elections of 1989 and he continued the winning streak as he was undefeated for eight terms. From the year 2007-2012 he served as the speaker of Uttarakhand assembly. Kapoor was elected for the Uttar Pradesh assembly for four terms before creation of Uttarakhand and he maintained his winning streak after creation of Uttarakhand. The death of Kapoor shocked everyone as he was active in social programmes till his last and had attended marriage ceremonies on Sunday as well. His family members informed that Kapoor died peacefully in his sleep. Known for his simple lifestyle and connection with people, the BJP veteran had undergone a bypass surgery about six years ago. As a mark of respect for the departed leader the government offices in Dehradun remained closed on Monday. His mortal remains were taken to the state BJP office for people to pay their respects. Later in the day he was cremated at Lakhibag crematorium.
Leaders pay tribute to Kapoor
On hearing about the death of Harbans Kapoor, the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami rushed to his home in Indira Nagar and consoled the grieving family. Dhami said that Kapoor always remained vocal for the development of his constituency and winning the assembly elections eight times in a row highlights his popularity among the masses. Praying for the peace of the departed soul, the CM said that God would give the power to tide over the crisis to his family members and well wishers.
Expressing deep sorrow on the demise of Kapoor, the speaker of Uttarakhand assembly Prem Chand Agarwal said that death of Kapoor marks an end of an era. He said that Kapoor left a mark during his tenure as assembly speaker and he used to take everyone along.
Former chief ministers Harish Rawat, Trivendra Singh Rawat, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Ganesh Godiyal, state BJP President Madan Kaushik, ministers Bishan Singh Chufal, Ganesh Joshi, Dhan Singh Rawat and others went to the residence of Kapoor to pay their last respects.
As a mark of respect the Congress party suspended its state-wide protest rally which was to be held on Monday. The state unit of BJP also canceled its programmes scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
