Chandigarh, Sep 30 (Inditop.com) Former Haryana chief minister Rao Birender Singh, who was also a former cabinet minister, died in Gurgaon Wednesday following a heart attack, officials said. He was 88.

He was chief minister from March to November 1967, the second person to rule the state after it was carved out of Punjab in 1966. He was earlier a minister in unified Punjab.

He was also a central minister in 1980-84 and held various portfolios including agriculture, rural development as well as food and supplies. He was elected to the Lok Sabha thrice — in 1971, 1980 and 1984.

Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia and Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda condoled the death of Rao Birender Singh. They described him as a visionary and committed to the development of the state.