Ranchi, Oct 28: Former BJP MP and ex-Bihar minister Lalit Oraon died after a protracted illness yesterday. He was 86 and a widower, party sources here said today adding he is survived by a son and three daughters.

Oraon was first elected as an MLA from Sisai Assembly segment in 1969 and served as forest minister in the Janata Party government in undivided Bihar. He became BJP legislature party leader in 1991. Oraon was later elected to Lok Sabha from Lohardaga.

Chief Minister Arjun Munda, several ministers and other leaders visited Oraon's place to express their grief over his death. Assembly speaker Inder Singh Namdhari said the state had lost a good leader who also fought to gain statehood for Jharkhand.

Bureau Report