New Delhi, Aug. 6 (PTI): Suraj Bhan, the chairman of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission, died here today.

The 78-year-old BJP leader, who was admitted to AIIMS two days ago following several complications, including cardiac and respiratory problems, is survived by his wife, four daughters and three sons.

Elected to the Lok Sabha four times from Haryana’s Ambala, Bhan was its deputy Speaker during 1996-97. In 1996, he was appointed Union agriculture minister.

Bhan had also served as governor of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar.