Union Minister Ananth Kumar has passed away at the age of 59, in Bengaluru on Sunday night. He was reportedly suffering from cancer.
According to reports, the union minister, who represented Bengaluru South parliamentary constituency six times since 1996, had undergone a prolonged treatment for cancer in London and New York.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “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.”
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
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “Deep sense of grief on hearing that Shri Ananth Kumar is no more with us. Served BJP all along. Bengaluru was in his head and heart, always. May God give his family the strength to bear with this loss.”
Deep sense of grief on hearing that Shri @AnanthKumar_BJP is no more with us. Served @BJP4India @BJP4Karnataka all along. Bengaluru was in his head and heart, always. May God give his family the strength to bear with this loss.
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 12, 2018
His wife, Tejaswini, on Friday had said that the minister was provided with the best treatment but the spread of infection was a matter of huge concern for the family.
Union Minister Sadanand Gowda tweeted, “Shocked , it’s unbelievable , My friend , Brother Ananthkumar is no more.”
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had recently visited Kumar at his hospital. Kumar held two portfolios in the Centre’s Narendra Modi government of parliamentary affairs and Chemicals and Fertilizers.
More to follow