New Delhi: Former BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) President Kushabhau Thakre died in New Delhi today (Dec 28, 2003) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after a prolonged illness, party sources said.

He was 82.

Thakre was party president between 1997 and 2000. He was suffering from cancer and was admitted to the AIIMS a week ago.

A bachelor, he was staying in a room in the party headquarters.

Thakre, who hailed from Gwalior, began his political life as a RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) pracharak and was associated with the erstwhile Jan Sangh and then the BJP.

He had also been vice president of the party.

His body will be taken to Gwalior today.