Former Rajya Sabha MP Ronald Sapa Tlau passes away at 71 in New Delhi

Ronald Sapa Tlau, a senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Wednesday. He was 71 years old.

His brother, Sangzela Tlau, confirmed the news and said the veteran politician had recently undergone open-heart surgery on Monday. However, he developed post-operative complications, including kidney failure and internal bleeding. “AIIMS, New Delhi confirmed my brother’s demise at 8 am on Wednesday. According to the hospital’s statement, he had kidney complications and internal bleeding following his surgery,” Sangzela stated.

Ronald Sapa Tlau was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2014 as a Congress candidate, securing 34 out of 40 votes in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly. During his six-year tenure in the upper house of Parliament, Tlau served on various key committees, including those related to health and family welfare, science and technology, and information technology.

Tlau was currently serving as the vice president of the Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC). Known for his articulate voice and commitment to public welfare, he remained an active figure in state politics until his passing.

Born and raised in Mizoram, Tlau pursued higher education in India and abroad. He completed his undergraduate studies at Spicer Adventist University in Pune and later obtained a postgraduate degree in Communication for Rural Development from Howard University in the United States.

His body will be flown back to Mizoram and taken to his residence in Zonuam locality, Aizawl. The family has announced that the last rites will be conducted on Friday.

The news of his demise has sparked condolences from political leaders and citizens across Mizoram, marking the end of an era for one of the state’s most respected political voices.