Union Minister Ananth Kumar Passes Away; 3 Day Mourning Declared in State
Union Minister and senior BJP Leader Ananth Kumar passed away at 2 am this morning at a hospital in Bengaluru at the age of 59. He was suffering from lung cancer.
The minister was receiving treatment for Cancer at a Cancer Institute in New York and had just returned to India last month. Mr. Kumar is survived by his wife Dr. Tejaswini and two daughters Aishwarya and Vijeta, who were also with him in his last hours. The leader’s casket was draped over by the National Flag. The state government has declared a holiday today and schools, colleges and government institutions in Karnataka are to remain closed today. The National Flag will also be flown at half-mast across the country today.
Mr. Ananth Kumar entered politics in the year 1996 during the Lok Sabha elections. Many leaders underestimated him and believed that an inexperienced newcomer like him wouldn’t stand a chance against candidates from the Janata Dal and Congress parties. It was not long before he proved his critics wrong. He won the elections by beating Varalakshmi Gundu Rao. Known to be a fast learner, Mr. Kumar had developed the skill of developing friends in politics.
Prior to the 1996 elections, B S Yeddyurappa recognized him and groomed him in politics and made him the general secretary of the state. He soon rose to heights in state politics.
He soon gained the trust and confidence of senior BJP stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani. In 1998, he was re-elected to the Lok Sabha at the age of 38, winning by a huge margin. He was bestowed with a portfolio that handled Civil Aviation and Tourism. In 1999 he again defeated Congress leader BK Hariprasad and became the minister of culture in the union cabinet. He held two key ministries; Chemical and Fertilizers since May 2014 and Parliamentary affairs since July 2016 under Modi’s government. What was most striking about this leader was that he maintained a good rapport with not only BJP leaders but also leaders from Congress and JD(S) in Karnataka.
Mr. Kumar started the ‘Adamya Chetana Foundation’ which focussed on providing fresh and nutritious mid-day meals to underprivileged children in schools. Known to be a great orator, Mr. Kumar focussed in actively promoting Bangalore’s culture, the language, and a healthy, green environment through various initiatives. The leader never hesitated to help fellow Kannadigas, irrespective of their party background.
Tributes pouring in
This is what leaders had to say about the BJP leader:
“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. 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.”
“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…”
L. K. Advani
"Ananth Kumar was a very popular, dynamic leader of the poor & downtrodden. May the departed soul rest in peace.”
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. ॐ शांति l
"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."
"Entire @BJP4India family is saddened beyond words at the untimely demise of our senior leader Shri @Ananth Kumar_BJP. He will be remembered as a people’s leader, a veteran parliamentarian and a supreme organizer. We express deepest condolences to his family in this hour of grief."
The minister’s body will be kept at Bengaluru’s National College for people to pay their last respects and the state funeral will be held on Tuesday. Not only the BJP party, but the nation as a whole has lost an industrious, compassionate and a friendly leader who was committed to work for the betterment of his nation.
