Patna, Dec. 15: Former MLC Indra Kumar, who was in his eighties, died on Monday morning, leaving the political circles in the state mourning.

A close aide on the late chief minister Karpoori Thakur, Indra Kumar, is believed to be the man behi- nd the ‘Karpoori formula’ of reservation implemented in Bihar in the 1970s — a formula which bifurcates Other Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes.

A four-term MLC, Indra Kumar, was highly respected by politicians cutting across party lines.

He used to be a permanent fixture in the lobby of the state Legislative Council, where politicians cutting across party lines came to seek advice on political and other issues.

As a legislator he was a parliamentarian par excellence and on many occasions, had put the government in defensive mode.

His advice was sought by all political parties, whenever there was a contest in biennial polls for the Rajya Sabha or the state Legislative Council seats.

Indra Kumar appeared to be the only person who understood the perplexed counting process when it used to cross the first round.

The moment the news of his death spread, chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi left the janata durbar after cancelled the news meet to pay floral tributes to the departed leader.

His body was brought to the premises of the state Legislative Council, where a large number of ministers and legislators were present to pay tributes to the deceased leader.

The government has announced a state funeral.