New Delhi/Gurgaon, June 11
Veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Vidya Charan Shukla, who was critically injured in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh two weeks ago, died at a private hospital here this afternoon. He was 84.

“He was operated upon for his intestinal and liver injuries and remained critical in the ICU with vital organs support... despite all efforts by a team of specialists, he succumbed to his injuries and illness and passed away this afternoon,” said a release issued by the hospital authorities.

Shukla was airlifted from Bastar and brought to Gurgaon, where he was admitted to the Medanta hospital. He had suffered gunshot injuries in the chest, abdomen and thigh.

Severe bullet injuries and old age were the major factors, the doctors said, adding that he developed multiple organ failure.

Shukla had initially undergone an operation at a Jagdalpur hospital in Chhattisgarh for the removal of bullets.

Shukla is survived by his wife and three daughters. His wife, daughters and sons-in-law were at the hospital when he breathed his last.

Chhattisgarh Congress Committee secretary Shiv Narayan Dwivedi, who had come to visit Shukla this afternoon, said he was also part of the Congress leaders’ convoy and recalled how the Maoists launched the deadly attack on them.

“Shukla was shot at and then pulled out of the car and made to sit on the road. It took almost three hours before help reached us,” said Dwivedi, who also sustained gunshot injuries in the attack.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president were among scores of political leaders who expressed their grief over Shukla’s death.

A PMO post on its Twitter account said: “The Prime Minister extends condolences on the passing away of Congress leader VC Shukla.”

Sonia Gandhi spoke to Shukla’s family over the phone and instructed senior party leaders, including Motilal Vora, Digvijaya Singh and Mohsina Kidwai, to reach Raipur where Shukla’s last rites would be performed.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde also mourned Shukla’s death said the Centre would provide security for the Congress’ Parivartan Yatra that was stopped in Chhattisgarh after the attack.