Former Rajasthan Legislative Assembly speaker Samarth Lal Meena passes away

JAIPUR: Former Rajasthan Legislative Assembly speaker and BJP MLA Samarth Lal Meena today died after a protracted illness at a private hospital here, official sources said.

He was 79. Meena served as a deputy minister and assembly speaker from 24 July 1998 to 2 January 1999, Vidhan Sabha sources said. He was also five-times MLA from Rajgarh in Alwar district.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Speaker Kailash Meghwal expressed their condolences to the family saying Meena was a great parliamentarian as he represented the Assemly for five terms.

In a statement, Raje said Meena was a grass root level jan-neta (public leader) and he ran the House in order with glorious traditions and business rules.