Former Uttar Pradesh minister and three-time legislator from Vishwanathganj seat in the state's Pratapgarh district, Raja Ram Pandey died late Thursday following a massive heart attack.

 

 

 The 58-year-old leader had held the portfolio of Khadi and Gramudyog in the Akhilesh Yadav government. He was removed from the state cabinet April 15 this year over his alleged sexist remarks about woman officials which sparked off national outrage.

 

 Pandey, amid talks of cabinet expansion Friday, had gone to meet the chief minister. Soon after returning to his Raj Bhawan colony residence, he began vomiting and collapsed. His staff said that as he was rushed to the Civil hospital around midnight, but he had a massive cardiac arrest and died on the way.

 

 He was said to be an affable politician, who got along well with his colleagues,  officials and media.

 

 –Indo-Asian News Service