Socialist leader Ram Iqbal Worsi dies after prolonged illness

Patna: Freedom fighter and socialist leader Ram Iqbal Worsi died on Monday after a prolonged illness. 94-year-old Worsi breathed his last at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science (IGIMS) here at around 3.30 AM, his son Shivjee Singh said. He is survived by a son and a daughter. He was called the 'Gandhi of Piro' by veteran socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia.

The socialist leader, a resident of Worsi village in Tarari block of Bihar's Bhojpur district, was Sanghata Socialist Party MLA from Piro from 1969-72. Condoling his death, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his last rites would be held with full state honours.

Kumar, in a statement, recollected the title given to Worsi by Lohia and said his contribution in promoting socialist movement in Bihar would never be forgotten. His death is an unprecedented loss in the field of politics, he said.

Worsi was admitted to IGIMS a few days ago and Kumar and RJD President Lalu Prasad had visited the hospital to see the ailing socialist leader.