Ranchi, Sept. 6 -- Senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and state higher and technical education and urban development minister Sudivya Kumar died to cardiac arrest early Sunday, following which the Jharkhand government declared two-day state mourning in honour of the Giridih MLA, considered the party's 'think tank' and a close advisor to chief minister Hemant Soren.

The 56-year-old minister, who also held charge of the tourism, arts and culture and sports and youth affairs ministries, was admitted to a private hospital late Saturday night after complaining of chest pain at his residence in Giridih. Doctors declared him dead around 4am on Sunday.

Dr Shahzad Shaikh of Mercy Hospital said, "The patient, Sudivya Kumar Sonu, came to u...