JMM MLA and veteran party leader Teklal Mahato died of cardiac arrest at a hospital in Ranchi today. Mahato, 66, is survived by wife, two sons and three daughters. The Director of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Tulsi Mahato said he was admitted to the hospital after he complained of chest pain.
He represented the JMM from Mandu Assembly constituency --- his fifth term to the state legislature. Mahato also represented Giridih in Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2009. Expressing condolence at his demise, former deputy chief minister and JMM leader Sudhir Mahato said, "The party and Jharkhand have lost a veteran political leader who was loved by tribals, backwards and harijans."
"He was associated with the statehood movement along with Binod Bihari Mahto and JMM president Shibu Soren.I also had the opportunity to work with him closely since the statehood movement," Mahato said.