Ayodhya, Dec. 16 -- A key figure in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and two-term former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti died in a hospital in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday. He was 67. His last rites will be performed on Tuesday morning with Jal Samadhi (immersion) in the Saryu river, his disciple Mahant Raghavesh Das said.

The news of Vedanti's death sent a wave of grief across Ayodhya, among the entire seer community and in BJP circles.

Vedanti's health suddenly deteriorated on Wednesday when he was on a visit to Rewa to conduct a religious discourse, according to information received here.

He was immediately admitted to hospital and passed away during the course of treatment on Monday.

Vedanti was the executive president of the Shri Ram Jan...