Former Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Girraj Tiwari passes away at 105; CM attends funeral

Former Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly Girraj Prasad Tiwari passed away late Thursday night at the age of 105.

He breathed his last around 01:30 am on Thursday. Born in 1920 in Bidyari village of Bayana subdivision in Bharatpur district, Tiwari began his career as a lawyer before entering politics, serving once as Panchayat Samiti Pradhan, once as Zila Pramukh, and twice as a member of the state assembly.

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He also served as the Deputy Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly from March 29, 1985, to January 31, 1986, and then as the Speaker from January 31, 1986, to March 11, 1990, during his term as an MLA from 1985-1990.

Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagade, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, his predecessors Ashok Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje, Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, and several dignitaries condoled Tiwari’s death.

Governor Bagade expressed sorrow over the death of the centenarian leader. “I pray for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to bear the loss to the bereaved family.”

Chief Minister Sharma wrote in a condolence message, “Shocked and saddened to hear the sad news of Sri Tiwari’s demise. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may the bereaved family be granted strength to bear the loss.”

Condoling Tiwari’s sad demise, Speaker Devnani lauded the departed leader’s contribution as Speaker in maintaining the decorum of the House and upholding the legislative conventions.

Speaker Devnani also held a condolence meeting in the Assembly Secretariat to pay tribute to Tiwari. Later, he declared a holiday in the Secretariat as a mark of respect to the departed leader.

Tiwari was later cremated in his native village, Bidyari. Chief Minister Sharma flew down to Bidyari village to bid adieu to the centenarian leader.