Environment Minister and senior BJP leader Anil Madhav Dave passed away early this morning.
60-year-old Dave complained of uneasiness at his home this morning and was rushed to AIIMS where he passed away, PTI quoted its official sources as saying.
Dave was appointed as the Minister of State (MoS) independent charge of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Modi cabinet on 5 July 2016.
Anil Madhav Dave was a member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian Parliament, since 2009.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed shock and grief over demise of Anil Dave.
“Absolutely shocked by the sudden demise of my friend & a very respected colleague, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave ji. My condolences. Anil Madhav Dave ji will be remembered as a devoted public servant. He was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment. I was with Anil Madhav Dave ji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues. This demise is a personal loss,” PM Modi tweeted.
Reacting to Dave’s demise, BJP President Amit Shah said that his death is a great loss to Indian polity.
“Shocked and deeply pained by the sudden demise of our senior leader Shri Anil Madhav Dave ji. Deepest condolences to his family & friends,” Amit Shah tweeted.
“Anil ji's organisational skills and connect with grassroots karyakartas was unparallel. He always met me with a warm smile on his face. Anil Madhav ji's contribution to Indian politics &environment conservation was incredible. His passing away is a great loss to Indian polity. Anil Madhav Dave ji has devoted his entire life for the betterment of society and played an important role in conservation of Narmada river,” he added.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said: "Deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden demise of my dear colleague, Anil Madhav Daveji. My sincere condolences."
"Shocked and extremely sad to know the sudden demise of my colleague Anil Madhav Dave,... My heartfelt condolences," Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said in a tweet.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that the late BJP leader was the "perfect definition of a gentleman and good human being. I'll forever miss his smiling character. May his soul RIP."
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: "It is shocking and unbelievable that one of our most smiling, charming and youngest at heart colleague, Anil Madhav Daveji is no more with us."
Dave's death was confirmed by family friend, Meena Agarwal. She said: "His body will be taken to All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for embalming. Later, the body will be taken to Indore."
Dave was sworn in as minister on July 6, 2016 following a reshuffle in the Modi cabinet.
He was born in Badnagar in Madhya Pradesh.
