Former Uttarakhand chief minister and BJP stalwart Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri (91) passed away on Tuesday at a private hospital after battling a long illness. The veteran leader passed away around 11 am, his daughter and Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan said.
Khanduri is survived by his wife Aruna, son Manish, and daughter Ritu Khanduri Bhushan. He had been suffering from age-related health issues and was hospitalised several times recently.
Before joining politics, Khanduri served in the Indian Army and retired as a major general. Known widely as ‘General Sahab’, he was respected for his discipline and strict administrative style.
Khanduri was chief minister of Uttarakhand twice. He first became the chief minister in 2007 after the BJP won the state assembly elections. He stepped down in 2009, taking moral responsibility after the party lost all five Lok Sabha seats in the state. The BJP brought him back as chief minister again in 2011.
Khanduri also worked as a Union minister. He handled the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways during the government of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He is remembered for playing a key role in the Golden Quadrilateral project, which linked India’s four major corners through a highway network.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed sorrow over the passing of the senior leader.
Dhami said his death is an irreparable loss for Uttarakhand and national politics. He said Khanduri showed unmatched dedication, discipline, and service during his time in the Indian Army.
He added that Khanduri built a strong image of good governance, transparency, and clean politics. He said he took many important decisions for the development of the state.
He also said Khanduri’s simplicity, honesty, and efficiency will always inspire others. Dhami prayed for the departed soul and expressed condolences to his family and supporters.
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