Union minister and senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar died at 2 am this morning at a hospital in Karnataka capital Bengaluru at the age of 59. The union minister was suffering from cancer. He had returned last month after undergoing treatment at a cancer institute in US' New York city. Mr Kumar's wife Tejaswini and his two daughters were with him in his last moments. His body will be kept at Bengaluru's National College for last tributes. He was one of the few ministers to have served in the earlier NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
A five-time Member of Parliament or MP from Bengluru constituency, Ananth Kumar held charge of two key ministries -- Chemicals and Fertilizers since May 2014 and Parliamentary Affairs since July 2016 in the Narendra Modi government. Several leaders have taken to social media to express grief over his death.
President Ram Nath Kovind expressed grief over Ananth Kumar's death, saying the passing of the "veteran" parliamentarian was "a tragic loss to public life in our country and particularly for the people of Karnataka."
PM Narendra Modi said Ananth Kumar was "a remarkable leader" who "went on to serve society with utmost diligence and compassion".
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said Mr Kumar made significant contribution to the country as a politician and his work made him popular among Bengalureans. "Our families had a friendship beyond politics. He always valued and had given priority to friendship. I have lost a great friend in his death," the chief minister added.
Here are the tributes pouring in over Ananth Kumar's death:
Union Minister JP Nadda and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan pay their tributes to Union Minister #AnanthKumar at his residence in Bengaluru, Karnataka
- NDTV (@ndtv) November 12, 2018
(📸 credit: ANI)
Track updates: https://t.co/yVLfqHVwo9 pic.twitter.com/ZEETD2CE3n
I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Shri Ananth Kumar ji. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this hour of pain and distress.
- Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) November 12, 2018
In a statement, Yogi Adityanath said, "Ananth Kumar was a popular leader, and had deep attachment with the public. He had effectively discharged his responsibilities pertaining to the organisation and government."
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya in a tweet condoled the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader's demise, terming it as an "irreparable loss" for the saffron party.
Describing him as a "diligent leader" who devoted his life to public service, Mr Malik said it would be difficult to fill the void left by Ananth Kumar in the country's politics.
The governor prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family in its hour of grief, an official release said.
"Ananth Kumar's death is an irreparable loss to the nation. It is indeed a big vacuum in politics as well as to the philanthropic services he rendered," he said in a statement.
RSS Dakshin Kshetra Sahkaryavah N Thippeswamy recalled Ananth Kumar's role as a Swayamsevak and his active participation in the fight against emergency.
RSS Karnataka unit leaders Ma Venkataramu Dagestan Pattanashetti also paid rich tributes to Kumar.
He also hailed the services of Ananth Kumar to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Mr Rao remembered Ananth Kumar's services as a parliamentarian and political leader and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family, a release from his office said.
"He was a guide for Tamil Nadu BJP unit," she added.
"Very sad to hear the demise of Union Minister Thiru (Mr) Ananth Kumar. My sincere condolences to his family and near ones," the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader said in a tweet.
Mr Palaniswami said Ananth Kumar had joined politics at a young age with the aim of doing public service.
"He had the distinction of being elected MP for six times from Bengaluru South from 1996 to 2014," he said in a statement, expressing sympathy with the leader's family.
"Union minister Ananth Kumar's death is a saddening incident. His death has caused an irreparable loss to the politics. Kumar was an energetic, hardworking and a noted social worker. He had significant contributions to Karnataka's politics," Kumar said in a statement.
The Chief Minister prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family relatives, followers and fans to bear the loss, the statement said.
The body will be shifted to National College Grounds at 10 AM.
Cremation will take place at 1 PM in Chamarajpet TR Mill crematorium.
A socially committed popular leader and a steadfast swayamsevak, Sri Anantha Kumar has left us. Our deepest condolences to the family. We pray that the Almighty may grant them the strength to bear this unbearable loss. - Suresh Joshi, Sarkaryavah pic.twitter.com/pVfQr3DcCI
- RSS (@RSSorg) November 12, 2018
I'm shocked by the passing away of my senior colleague and senior BJP leader Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. As a good human being & as a leader he carried an impeccable record in serving the society. His advise & words of wisdom will always keep motivating me. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/PldeRWd13s
- Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 12, 2018
Deeply saddened by the sudden demise of Union Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar ji, an able administrator and popular leader. My condolences to the bereaved family in their hour of grief.
- N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) November 12, 2018
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Union Minister Shri. Ananth Kumar. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and colleagues.
- Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) November 12, 2018
Shocked and deeply pained by the sudden and untimely demise of our leader Union Minister #AnanthKumar ji.
- Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 12, 2018
His contribution towards society, service to the people will be remembered forever.
My deepest condolences to his family, friends, followers, karyakarta.
Extremely pained by the sudden demise of Union Minister and my colleague, Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. He will always be remembered for his works as parliamentarian and a political leader. My thoughts & prayers are with his family. May God render peace to the departed soul.
- Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) November 12, 2018
Read Here: PM Modi Likely To Chair Special Cabinet Meet To Condole Ananth Kumar's DeathPrime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to chair a special meeting of the Union Cabinet today to condole the demise of senior minister Ananth Kumar, official sources said.
Read Here: Karnataka Declares 3-Day Mourning As Mark Of Respect To Union Minister Ananth KumarThe Karnataka government has declared a three-day state mourning till November 14 as a mark of respect to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, who died early in the morning today.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala pays last respects to Union Minister #AnanthKumar pic.twitter.com/dQYbBMeKyv
- ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018
Entire @BJP4India family is saddened beyond words at the untimely demise of our senior leader Shri @AnanthKumar_BJP. He will be remembered as a people's leader, a veteran parliamentarian and a supreme organiser. We express deepest condolences to his family in this hour of grief. pic.twitter.com/5BnMF50uKl
- BJP (@BJP4India) November 12, 2018
I am pained to know about the sad demise of Shri Ananth Kumar. He was like my younger brother. His death is a personal loss for me.
- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 12, 2018
"I am under deep grief to hear about the untimely demise of my friend and union minister Shri Ananth Kumar ji. He worked tirelessly to strengthen the BJP in Karnataka and nation. May his soul rest in peace and God give strength to bear his loss to his family," he said in the tweet.
I am under deep grief to hear about the untimely demise of my friend and union minister Shri Ananth Kumar ji. He worked tirelessly to strengthen the BJP in Karnataka and nation. May his soul rest in peace and God give strength to bear his loss to his family... pic.twitter.com/DZLuZNZsht
- B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) November 12, 2018
Bengaluru: National flag draped over casket carrying mortal remains of Union Minister #AnanthKumar, who passed away in the early hours today. pic.twitter.com/DURLjS99L3
- ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018
Saddened by the untimely demise of Ananth Kumar ji who dedicated his entire life towards strengthening BJP & in the service of the Nation. My deepest condolences to his family & loved ones in this hour of grief. Om Shanti
- Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) November 12, 2018
Deeply saddened to learn about the untimely demise of Union Minister Ananth Kumar ji.
- Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) November 12, 2018
His dynamism, energy and dedication towards the people remains a shining example for all in public life. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and well wishers.
Saddened at the passing away of Ananth Kumar ji, six time MP and Union cabinet minister. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and supporters
- Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 12, 2018
"Kumar's pro-people attitude and activities made him apple of the eye of Bengalurians," Mr Kumaraswamy said in a condolence message, according to PTI.
"Our families had a friendship beyond politics. He always valued and had given priority to friendship. I have lost a great friend in his death," he said.
I am grief stricken to learn about the untimely demise of our senior leader and union minister Shri Ananth Kumar ji. He served the nation and organisation with unparalleled zeal and dedication. Ananth ji worked tirelessly to strengthen the BJP in the state of Karnataka.
- Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 12, 2018
Ananth ji was a remarkable administrator who served various ministerial portfolios. His passing away has left a void in the BJP and Indian polity that can not be filled soon. May God give his family & supporters strength to bear this tragic loss. My deepest condolences. Om Shanti
- Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 12, 2018
Very sad to hear about the sad demise of Sh Anant Kumar ji. My heartfelt condolences to the Family. May his Soul rest in peace.
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 12, 2018
"Ananth Kumar Ji 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," he said in a series of tweets.
Extremely saddened by the passing away of my valued colleague and friend, Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. 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.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018
Ananth Kumar Ji 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.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018
I spoke to his wife, Dr. Tejaswini Ji and expressed condolences on the passing away of Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. My thoughts are with his entire family, friends and supporters in this hour of grief and sadness. Om Shanti.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018
Read Here: "Great Asset To BJP": Leaders Pay Tributes To Union Minister Ananth KumarUnion minister Ananth Kumar, 59, died at 2 am Monday at Karnataka's capital Bengaluru. He was suffering from cancer.
Read Here: Union Minister Ananth Kumar Dies At 59. President Says Tragic LossSenior BJP leader and cabinet minister Ananth Kumardied at 2 this morning at a hospital in Bengaluru. He was 59. The union minister was suffering from cancer and had returned from the US last month after treatment at a cancer institute in New York.
