Ananth Kumar passes away: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi express grief

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who will be going to Bengaluru to pay homage to the departed leader, said, "(Ananth Kumar) Will always be remembered as a great organiser, always smiling, who lost no election. He personally knew hundreds of workers in Bihar", Modi tweeted.

Stating that Kumar was his friend since 1977, Modi said both of them worked together in the ABVP and then in the BJP. "A great loss for BJP. Only yesterday I telephoned to enquire about his health," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew in from Varanasi Monday and drove to the residence of Kumar at Basavanagudi, where the body was kept. The PM laid a wreath on the mortal remains of the deceased leader and consoled his family members, including wife Tejaswini and his two daughters Vijeta and Aishwarya. Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala and BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa were also present, PTI reported.

The RSS Monday condoled the demise of union minister Ananth Kumar and said that it was an irreparable loss to the nation, PTI reported. RSS Dakshin MadhyaKshetra Sanghachalak V Niagara also lauded Kumar for his "wonderful" job as union chemicals and fertilisers minister by introducing neem coated fertilisers, thus putting an end to the shortage of manure.

"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 here.

RSS Dakshin Kshetra Sahkaryavah N Thippeswamy recalled Kumar's role as an RSS Swayamsevak and his active participation in the fight against emergency. RSS Karnataka unit leaders Ma Venkataramu Dagestan Pattanashetti also paid rich tributes to Kumar.

"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," Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said in a statement.

The mortal remains of Kumar will be taken to Jagannath Bhavan, BJP state office at Malleshwaram, by 8 am, where arrangements would be made for party workers and his followers to pay their last respects.

His body would then be taken to National College Ground in the city for public to pay their respects, and the last rites would be performed at 1 pm at Chjamarajapete crematorium, the statement added.

The last rites of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, who passed away here Monday, would be performed on Tuesday afternoon, Karnataka BJP said. The mortal remains of Kumar would be placed at his residence in Basavanagudifor the entire day today, state BJP General Secretary N Ravi Kumar said in a statement.

State chief ministers expressed their grief over Kumar's demise and remembered him the late leader. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Kumar was a 'popular leader' who had a 'deep attachment' with the masses.

Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy renmembered him as a 'value based' politician who made a significant contribution to the country as a parliamentarian and a Union minister.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said Kumar had joined politics at a young age with the aim of doing public service.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was saddened to hear about his demise, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent her heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and supporters.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state Congress president Ashok Chavan too paid their tributes to Kumar.

Telangana Caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao remembered Kumar's services as a parliamentarian and political leader and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.

Sad to hear the untimely passing away of Union Minister Shri #AnanthKumar. My condolences to the bereaved family and wish they get the strength to cope with such a great loss. May his soul rest in peace

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) November 12, 2018

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

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

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. ? ????? l

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) November 12, 2018

Tdy is a sad sad day - my brother, my friend, my mentor @AnanthKumar_BJP passes away. He was family to me - He was one of my few real friends in politics n a genuinely good human being ! I will miss him hugely ???? #OmShanthi n Farewell my dear friend. U left too soon. ????

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) November 12, 2018

Ananth Kumar's last rites will be on November 13 at Chamarajpet Burial Grounds in Bengaluru at 1 PM. 

You may pay your last respects and attend final rites of Shri Ananth Kumar ji as per the schedule below. pic.twitter.com/j2OErNazQ9

— BJP (@BJP4India) November 12, 2018

Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan expressed grief over the demise of union minister Ananth Mahajan. 

It is a personal loss for me. I depended a lot on him (#AnanthKumar) to run parliament smoothly. Finding a party worker & efficient minister like him is difficult. He is a major loss not only to the party but politics as a whole: Sumitra Mahajan, Lok Sabha Speaker pic.twitter.com/i1mYJSzkmh

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti condoled the death of Ananth Kumar, calling him a "great person and politician".

Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Shri Ananth Kumar , a great person and a politician. May his soul rest in peace.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 12, 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to chair a special meeting of the Union Cabinet Monday to condole the demise of senior minister Ananth Kumar, PTI reported. A resolution condoling the demise of the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and hailing his contribution would be passed.

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath said the death of BJP leader Ananth Kumar was a "shocking incident" and a "huge loss for the government as well as the party".In a condolence post, Railway minister Piyush Goyal tweeted  "Ananth was respected across party lines and was a guiding light for all of us."Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar lauded Kumar's contribution in Karnataka politics.  "Ananth Kumar Ji was a hardworking politician and an admired social worker. He had a huge contribution in Karnataka politics. He will be always remembered for his good work," he said. 

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

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu condoled Kumar's death.  He said he was hoping he would recover and join back public service. 

Felt very sad about the demise of #AnanthKumar. He was ill for some time, but never expected that this will happen. We were hoping he would recover and join back public service. I convey my heartfelt condolences to his wife and children: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu pic.twitter.com/Dm2r5b2Vwu

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018

Three-day mourning has been declared in Karnataka over the demise of Union Minister Ananth Kumar. One-day holiday has also been declared for today. The National Flag will fly at half mast throughout the country today and State funeral will be accorded, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs

Home minister Rajnath Singh condoled Kumar's death and said it is a big loss to the BJP and a "personal loss for me."

My mind is filled with memories of working with Anant Kumar ji in the government and party organisation. These memories will stay with me. His demise is a big loss for the BJP. It is also a personal loss for me.

— ?????? ???? (@rajnathsingh) November 12, 2018

This is a tragic loss to public life in our country and particularly for the people of Karnataka, the President said. 

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 #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 12, 2018

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said he is "deeply pained" to hear about Kumar's demise and remembered him as a "pro-people leader and value-based politician."

Deeply pained to hear about the untimely death of Uni.Minister and a dear friend #Ananthakumar.
A value-based politician, a pro people leader, who made a significant contribution to the country as an MP &Uni.Minister. I have lost a great friend.
May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/FBRicd64M2

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 12, 2018

The six-time MP began his parliamentary career when he got elected to Lok Sabha in 1996 from Bangalore South, the constituency which remained his strong fort till his passing sway, by winning it for six consecutive times

Bengaluru: #Visuals from the residence of Union Minister Ananth Kumar who passed away at the age of 59, last night. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/M5iDx1iXQD

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018

Taking to Twitter, the Congress chief expressed grief over the demise of senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar. 

I’m sorry to hear about the passing of Union Minister, Shri Ananth Kumar ji, in Bengaluru, earlier this morning. My condolences to his family & friends. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 12, 2018

BJP president Amit Shah condoled the demise of Union minister Ananth Kumar, saying his passing away has left a void in the BJP and Indian polity that can not be filled soon.

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