Veteran Cong leader R K Dhawan passes away

Veteran Congress leader R K Dhawan, a long-time aide of late prime minister Indira Gandhi, died at a private hospital here on Monday. He was 81.

Dhawan, who rose from being a stenographer to the most trusted aide of Indira Gandhi, was admitted to the B L Kapur hospital last week for treatment of age-related ailments.

“Deeply shocked at passing away of Shri R K Dhawan. Though he was ailing I had never expected that the end will come so soon. A close associate and colleague in party and government, he will forever be fondly remembered,” former president Pranab Mukherjee said.

Dhawan along with M L Fotedar served as the backroom boys for Indira Gandhi and was considered as the second most powerful person in the country in the 1970s and early 1980s.

“Our homage to veteran Congress leader, Sh R K Dhawan, who breathed his last today (on Monday). His tireless spirit, immeasurable commitment & untiring dedication to the Congress ideals will always be remembered. RIP,” Randeep Singh Surjewala, in-charge of AICC Communication Department said.

A close confidant of the Gandhi family, Dhawan, had been a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee until it was recast by Congress president Rahul Gandhi last month.

A graduate of Punjab University, Dhawan worked as the personal secretary of Indira Gandhi from 1962 to 1984. He was by Indira Gandhi's side when she was assassinated by her bodyguards on October 31, 1984.

He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1990 and served as a member on various parliamentary committees.

Dhawan is survived by his wife Achla, whom he had married in 2012.