Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away at 59, homage pours in from across political spectrum, three-day mourning declared in Karnataka
Union minister and six-time Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ananth Kumar died at a hospital in Bengaluru early on Monday. The 59-year-old was suffering from lung cancer and was earlier treated at a hospital in New York, PTI reported.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu led the nation in mourning his death.
"Sad to hear of the passing of Union Minister and veteran parliamentarian Ananth Kumar. This is a tragic loss to public life in our country and particularly for the people of Karnataka. My condolences to his family, colleagues and countless associates," the President tweeted.
Calling him an "asset" to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Modi said Kumar will always be remembered for his good work.
"Extremely saddened by the passing away of my valued colleague and friend, Ananth Kumar. He was a remarkable leader, who entered public life at a young age and went on to serve society with utmost diligence and compassion. He will always be remembered for his good work.
"He was an able administrator, who handled many ministerial portfolios and was a great asset to the BJP organisation. He worked hard to strengthen the party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents," the Prime Minister said.
Modi also spoke to Kumar's wife.
PM Modi who was in Varansi flew to Bengaluru to pay last respects to Ananth Kumar. The Prime Minister laid a wreath on the mortal remains of Kumar. He consoled Kumar's wife Tejaswini and his two daughters Vijeta and Aishwarya. Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala and BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa were also present.
Venkaiah Naidu termed Kumar's death a "personal loss".
"Deeply saddened by the passing away of Ananth Kumar. He served the nation with great distinction and always strove for the welfare of downtrodden. His death is a personal lossAto me. My condolences to bereaved family members," the Vice President tweeted.
BJP President Amit Shah said Kumar's passing away "has left a void in the BJP and Indian polity that cannot be filled soon".
"I am grief-stricken to learn about the untimely demise of our senior leader and union minister Shri Ananth Kumarji. He served the nation and organisation with unparalleled zeal and dedication. Ananthji worked tirelessly to strengthen the BJP in the state of Karnataka," Shah said.
The Congress and its President Rahul Gandhi also condoled the Minister's demise.
"We are saddened to hear of the passing of Union Minister Shri Ananth Kumar. Our thoughtsAand prayers are with his family in this hour. May he rest in peace," the Congress tweeted.
"I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Union Minister, Ananth Kumarji, in Bengaluru,Aearlier this morning. My condolences to his family & friends. May his soul rest in peace," Gandhi said.
The Aam Aadmi Party and its head Arvind Kejriwal also mourned Kumar's death.
"Very sad to hear about the sad demise of Anant Kumarji. My heartfelt condolences toAthe family. May his Soul rest in peace," Kejriwal tweeted.
Chief Ministers of West Bengal and All India Trinamool Congress head Mamata Banerjee expressed grief.
"Saddened at the passing away of Ananth Kumarji, six-time MP and Union cabinet minister. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and supporters," she tweeted.
Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Prakash Javadekar and Nirmala Sitharaman were also among those who condoled Kumar's death.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath termed Kumar's death "a great loss" for both the Union Government and the BJP.
"Absolutely shocked and pained by the demise of very senior colleague and a friend. He (Kumar) was a seasoned parliamentarian who served the nation in several capacities. His passion and devotion for the welfare of people was commendable. My condolences to his family," Rajnath Singh tweeted.
The state government has announced a holiday on Monday and will have three days of mourning. Kumar will be accorded a state funeral on Tuesday, ANI reported.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Home Minister Rajnath Singh are expected to attend the cremation of Union minister Ananth Kumar in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Foraying into politics in 1987, Kumar became a Union minister in the Vajpayee cabinet in 1998 when he was only 38. He remained in the inner circle of the central leadership of the BJP -- be it during the heyday of Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Narendra Modi now.
He served as an important link between the central and state units of the party.
Kumar joined the BJP in 1987 and never looked back, holding the posts of state secretary, state president of the Yuva Morcha, party general secretary and national secretary.
Teaming up with state BJP chief Yeddyurappa, Kumar is among the few party leaders who can be credited for the growth of the BJP in Karnataka, bringing it to power in 2008 and making it the first saffron party government in the South.
Under Kumar's stewardship as the state party chief in 2004, the BJP had emerged as the single largest party but the JDS led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda joined hands with the Congress to form a coalition government led by Dharam Singh.
In his capacity as Union minister, Kumar had held multiple ministries, including the civil aviation, tourism, sports, youth affairs & culture, urban development & poverty alleviation and chemicals and fertilisers.
Kumar is widely credited for implementing Neem Coated Urea and setting up of Jan Aushadhi Kendras with focus on affordable quality health care.
Incidentally, Kumar and his family were closely associated in the setting up of the Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in his Lok Sabha constituency.
