Gulzarilal Nanda dead

NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Gulzarilal Nanda, who was India's caretaker prime minister for 28 days on two occasions in 1964 and 1966, died today after a prolonged illness, the United News of India reported, reports AFP.

Nanda, 99, died at his home in the western city of Ahmedabad, where he had been leading a quiet life since retiring from politics many years ago, the news agency said.

Nanda was prime minister for the first time after Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first premier, died on May 27, 1964. He stepped down after 15 days when Lal Bahadur Shastri was chosen to succeed Nehru.

He again occupied the prime minister's post in 1966 for 13 days after the death of Shastri.

Meanwhile, government tonight declared a three-day state mourning throughout the country as a mark of respect to former acting prime minister Gulzarilal Nanda and decided to accord state funeral with full military honours to the departed leader.