KATHMANDU, Aug 17: Chetan Chauhan, a cabinet minister in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state which shares border with Nepal, succumbed to COVID-19 on Sunday, according to Indian media reports.

Chauhan, also a former India cricketer, died of COVID-19 related complications, the Indian Express reported. Chauhan is the second Uttar Pradesh minister after Kamal Rani Varun, who held the Technical Education portfolio, to have succumbed to Covid-19.

Chauhan, who held the Sainik Welfare, Home Guards, PRD, Civil Security portfolios in the Yogi Adityanath government, was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi PGI Hospital in Lucknow after testing Covid-19 positive on July 12.

On Saturday, Chauhan’s condition worsened after he had a kidney failure and was put on life support, reports said. He is survived by his wife and son Vinayak.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sorrow on the demise of Chauhan while paying tribute to the deceased.  “Shri Chetan Chauhan Ji distinguished himself as a wonderful cricketer and later as a diligent political leader. He made effective contributions to public service and strengthening the BJP in UP. Anguished by his passing away. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” Modi tweeted on Sunday.

Chauhan had represented India in 40 Tests and served the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) in various capacities

A flamboyant cricketer and Sunil Gavaskar’s longest serving opening partner in the 1970s, Chauhan represented India in 40 Tests and served the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) in various capacities — president, vice-president, secretary and chief selector.

 
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