Veteran Congress leader AK Walia dies of Covid-19 illness at 72

Senior Congress leader and former Delhi minister AK Walia passed away due to Covid-19 on Thursday morning. Walia was undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Delhi. He was 72. Walia passed away around 1.30 AM Thursday, a PTI report said. Delhi Congress president Anil Kumar condoled the death of former MLA, saying he breathed his last at the city's Apollo Hospital. Walia was MLA for four consecutive terms. He was a member of the first, second, third and fourth Legislative Assemblies of Delhi. 

Walia won from Geeta Colony Assembly seat thrice. He represented the Laxmi Nagar Assembly seat in the Assembly during his fourth term. The Geeta Colony seat ceased to exist after 2008 delimitation. He had also served as a minister in Sheila Dikshit's government. He had held Health, Urban Development, Land & Building portfolios. He was also the Chairman of Trans Yamuna Area Development Board. Walia was born in New Delhi. A physician by profession, he obtained a MBBS degree from MGM Medical College, Indore in 1972. Meanwhile, AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also condoled Walia's death, saying he promoted positive politics in Delhi.