NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Veteran Congress leader Motilal Vora is dead. He was 93. He died of pneumonia in a Delhi hospital on Monday afternoon.

He had suffered a mild coronavirus infection in October and was treated in AIIMS Delhi. A few days ago he was admitted to Escorts hospital in Delhi with complaints of urinary infection. He was put on ventilator as he also had developed lung infection.

Vora, who had his birthday on Sunday, was a former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and also had served Uttar Pradesh as Governor. He had also been Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha member.

He was very close to the Gandhi family and was one of the most trusted Congress leaders. Never after power and pelf, Vora was holding the post of treasurer in the party till recently. He was also the Managing Director of party mouthpiece National Herald during its last days. Till the recent controversial reshuffle of the party leadership he was a general secretary.

Rahul Gandhi said, "Vora ji was a true congressman and a wonderful human being. We will miss him very much. My love & condolences to his family and friends." Priyanka Gandhi tweeted, "Voraji was a symbol of dedication and loyalty towards the Congress ideology."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Shri Motilal Vora Ji was among the senior-most Congress leaders, who had vast administrative and organisational experience in a political career that spanned decades. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and well-wishers. Om Shanti."

He was born in Durg district of present Chhattisgarh, where his funeral will be held on Tuesday.