Ram Vilas Paswan, the Union Minister for consumer affairs, died in the hospital on Thursday
Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan on Thursday posted an emotional note along with a photograph of himself with his father Ram Vilas Paswan, who died days after a heart surgery.
"Papa, you are not in this world any more but I know wherever you are, you will always be with me. Miss you papa," he tweeted in Hindi.
Ram Vilas Paswan, the union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution, died in the hospital on Thursday. He was 74. He had undergone a heart surgery at a Delhi hospital on Sunday.
After his surgery, Chirag Paswan, 37, wrote in a tweet in Hindi: "Over the last few days, my father was being treated at a hospital. Yesterday night, due to the situation that had suddenly emerged, he had to undergo a heart surgery. If required, another operation may be needed. At the time of need, I thank you all for standing by our side."
In his role as food minister, Mr Paswan oversaw the world's biggest food welfare programme. Under its multi-billion dollar food aid, the government gives ultra-cheap rice and wheat to India's lakhs of poor people.
"I am saddened beyond words," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet reacting to news of his death. "There is a void in our nation that will perhaps never be filled."
In his long political career, Mr Paswan worked with many prime ministers and served as India's mines, steel, and telecommunication and information minister among other portfolios.
As the chief of the Lok Jan Shakti Party which enjoys considerable support in his home state of Bihar, Mr Paswan joined the National Democratic Alliance that swept the general election in 2014. The NDA was voted back to power with a bigger majority in 2019.
One of the country's most noted Dalit leaders, Mr Paswan and his party represented India's socially disadvantaged classes, which make up about three-quarters of the Hindu population that is about 80 per cent of India's 130 crore people.
(With inputs from agencies)