Patna,(BiharTimes): After spending over six decades of life in the Sangh Parivar former chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council, Tarakant Jha, died within six fortnights of joining the Janata Dal (United). 

He breathed his last on Sunday at a private hospital in Patna after a brief illness. He was 87 and was survived by wife, a son and two daughters. 

He was Chairman of the Upper House between 2009 and 2012 but since he was denied renomination by his own party, the BJP, he was left with no option, but quit. On February 19 last he finally joined the Janata Dal (United).

He had been the founder member of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, which came up in early 1950s. He was also among the founder of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980.

Yet in the last days of his life he was virtually ignored by his party and was forced to cross over to the Janata Dal (United).

Tarakant was an eminent jurist and had served as the Advocate General of Bihar and also served with distinction as the Chairman of Bihar Bar Council and member of the Bar Council of India.

He also played a significant role in inclusion of Maithili in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution to give the language an official status.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who went to his house after hearing the news of the death, said it was a great loss for the people of Mithila, Bihar and India. He expressed profound grief over his death. His death has caused a huge void in polity and society, the CM said.

Former deputy chief minister Sushil Modi, who also went to his house, while expressing his condolence, said that Tarakant Jha had made enormous contributions to the BJP in Bihar. He was the founder of Bharatiya Jan Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party, he added.

The Legislative Council Chairman Awadesh Narayan Singh, and leaders of various political parties also paid tributes to the departed soul.