Condolences pour in for Ananth Kumar

New Delhi: Condolences poured in for senior BJP leader and Union fertiliser and chemicals and parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar who passed away at the age of 59 in a Bengaluru hospital on Monday. A six time member of Parliament and associated with the RSS since his college days, Mr Kumar was suffering from lung cancer.

Expressing his condolences, President Ram Nath Kovind said Kumar’s death was a tragic loss to public life in the country. “Sad to hear of the passing of Union minister and veteran parliamentarian Shri H.N. 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.

Describing Kumar as a “colleague for years, from students’ movement to Parliament,” vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu hailed him as a “dedicated statesman”.

Expressing sadness at the passing away of a “valued colleague and friend,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “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.” Mr Modi said Kumar was an able administrator and  a great asset to the BJP.

“He worked hard to strengthen the party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents,” Mr Modi said.

Mr Modi spoke to his wife Dr Tejaswini and expressed condolences.

BJP president Amit Shah said Kumar served the party and the nation with “unparalleled zeal and dedication”, while Union home minister Rajnath Singh said his passion and devotion for the welfare of people was commendable.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a tweet, said: “I’m sorry to hear about the passing of Union minister, Shri Ananth Kumarji, in Bengaluru, earlier this morning. My condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.”