Ananth Kumar passes away: Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away in Bengaluru in the wee hours on Monday. According to television reports, the 59-year-old BJP leader breathed his last at 1:50 am. He was suffering from cancer. Kumar was holding two portfolios of Parliamentary Affairs and Chemicals and Fertilizers in the Modi government.

Kumar had arrived in Bengaluru after undergoing treatment in London and New York. He was admitted to Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Basavanagudi. Kumar represented the Bengaluru South parliamentary constituency as many as six times. Last week, his wife had said that even as the minister was being given a good treatment but severe infection was the cause of concern.

Also Read: Who was Ananth Kumar? A staunch RSS man, known for political adroitness

In pics: Remembering Ananth Kumar

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Who was Ananth Kumar: A staunch RSS man, known for political adroitness

16:31 (IST)12 Nov 2018
LK Advani expresses shock

"I'm extremely shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of Union Minister Ananth Kumar. Ananth Kumar was a very popular, dynamic leader of the poor and downtrodden. May the departed soul rest in peace: Senior BJP leader LK Advani

16:26 (IST)12 Nov 2018
HD Kumaraswamy visits Ananth Kumar's residence

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy visited the residence of Ananth Kumar, met family of the late Union Minister.

15:39 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar had deep attachment with the public, says Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday condoled the death of Ananth Kumar. He said that Kumar was a popular leader who had a deep attachment with the masses.

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15:05 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu condoles death of Ananth Kumar

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday expressed his grief over the untimely demise of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar. In a tweet, he said: "Extremely pained to learn about the sudden and sad demise of iconic leader Union Minister #AnanthKumar ji. I pray to God to give courage and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss. My deep Condolences."

14:50 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Kharge condoles Ananth Kumar's death

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge condoled the death of Union Minister Ananth Kumar, who passed away Monday in Bengaluru, saying the country had lost a "valuable politician". "As union minister of parliamentary affairs, he was always focused on his job and managed the debates with a smile," Kharge, who is the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, said in a statement. PTI

13:50 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar's death personal loss, says Sumitra Mahajan

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that Ananth Kumar's death is a personal loss for her. "I depended a lot on him (Ananth Kumar) to run Parliament smoothly. Finding a party worker and efficient minister like him is difficult. He is a major loss not only to the party but politics as a whole."

13:37 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Lost a valuable politician, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge condoled the death of Union Minister Ananth Kumar. He said that the country has lost a valuable politician. "As union minister of parliamentary affairs, he was always focused on his job and managed the debates with a smile," Kharge said in a statement. He also expressed his deepest sympathies for the family and supporters of Kumar.

13:24 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Will miss Ananth Kumar, says Rajasthan CM Raje

Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje said that she is saddened to learn about the sudden demise of Ananth Kumar. "We had known each other for a long time, we came to Yuva Morcha together. Ananth Kumar was a dedicated, sympathetic and hardworking politician. That is a very rare combination to find. We will miss him in the time to come."

12:59 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar passes away: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj pays tribute

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that Ananth Kumar was his friend. "I took a promise from him 4-5 months ago that you will have to come to Madhya Pradesh during elections. He never broke the promises he made, except this time. I pray to God to give peace to his soul," he said.

12:43 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Suresh Prabhu remembers Ananth kumar

Suresh Prabhiu said that Ananth Kumar's contribution to the nation under various Union Ministerial positions and sound leadership will be greatly missed. "Saddened by the demise of Union Minister & senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar Ji. My condolences to his family at this moment of grief. Om Shanti," he said.

12:29 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Jairam Ramesh remembers Ananth Kumar

Jairam Ramesh said that the ever-smiling and always affable Ananth Kumar is sadly no more. "He would often tell me that whatever our political differences he was fully supportive of my stances on environmental issues. He was, for instance, passionate about the protection of Western Ghats. I salute him," he said.

12:16 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Singhvi remembers Ananth Kumar
12:09 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ajay Maken remembers Ananth Kumar
12:02 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Extremely shocked by untimely demise of Ananth Kumar: Advani

BJP leader Lak Krishna Advani said that he is extremely shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of Union Minister Ananth Kumar. "Ananth Kumar was a very popular, dynamic leader of the poor and downtrodden. May the departed soul rest in peace."

11:53 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar was like my younger brother, says Sushma Swaraj
11:46 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar's last rites on Tuesday at 1 pm

The last rites of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar will be performed on Tuesday afternoon. The mortal remains of departed BJP leader Kumar was placed at his residence in Basavanagudi for the entire day today. According to party general secretary N RaviKumar, by 8 am on Tuesday, Kumar's mortal remains will be taken Jagannath Bhavan, BJP state office at Malleshwaram. Kumar's mortal remains will be then be taken to National College Ground in the city for public to pay their respects and last rites will be performed at 1 PM at Chjamarajapete crematorium. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

11:38 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Amit Shah pays tribute to Ananth Kumar at BJP office
11:27 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar's demise loss to country: Arun Jaitley

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that demise of Ananth Kumar is a great loss to the country, to the state of Karnataka, to the government and BJP. "He was a leader of very high standing within the BJP. It was under his leadership that the party got its first foothold established in southern parts of India," he said.

11:15 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Mamata Banerjee condoles Ananth Kumar's death

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her deep grief over the passing away of Union minister Ananth Kumar. "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," she tweeted.

11:03 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Devendra Fadnavis condoles demise of Ananth Kumar

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tributes to Union minister Ananth Kumar who died at a Bengaluru hospital on Monday morning. In his message, Fadnavis said: "Shocked and deeply pained by Ananth Kumar's untimely demise. His contribution towards society, service to the people will be remembered forever. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, followers, karyakarta."

10:51 (IST)12 Nov 2018
PM Modi, Rajnath Singh likely to visit Bengaluru in evening

PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh are likely to visit Bengaluru in evening today to pay last respects to the departed leader. According to a media report, last rites will be held on Tuesday at a crematorium in Chamrajapet.

10:44 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Pinarayi Vijayan condoles Ananth Kumar's death

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of Union Minister Ananth Kumar. In his message, Vijayan said: "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Union Minister Shri Ananth Kumar. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and colleagues."

10:42 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar passes away: Karnataka Governor pays last respects
10:37 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Prakash Javadekar to attend Ananth Kumar's funeral

Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said that Ananth Kumar's death is a huge loss for the country and also a personal loss. "He was a great friend and guide for all of us. In recent Karnataka elections, we worked in and out and his sudden death is shocking. We will participate in his last rites in Bengaluru."

10:31 (IST)12 Nov 2018
State funeral for Ananth Kumar on Tuesday

According to a report in oneindia.com, Ananth Kumar's last rites would be held tomorrow at a crematorium in Chamrajapet. Kumar was holding two portfolios -- Parliamentary Affairs and Chemicals and Fertilizers. He passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru in the wee hours on Monday. he was 59.

10:08 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar's journey in BJP

Ananth Kumar had joined the BJP in 1987 and held posts of state secretary, state president of the Yuva Morcha, general secretary and national secretary. He served as a Minister for Civil Aviation in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He was also the youngest cabinet ministry in that government. In 1999, when Lok Sabha polls were held, Kumar had again won from the Bengaluru South parliamentary seat and became a cabinet minister. He handled various ministries like Tourism, Sports & Youth Affairs, Culture, Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation. He became the president of Karnataka BJP in 2003. In 2004, he was appointed national general secretary of the BJP contributing to building the party in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and other states.

09:56 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar passes away: Venkaiah Naidu expresses grief

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said that he conveys heartfelt condolences to his wife and children. "Felt very sad about the demise of Ananth Kumar. He was ill for some time, but never expected that this will happen. We were hoping he would recover and join back public service," he said. Kumar was 59 and suffering from cancer. He passed away on Monday in the wee hours at a private hospital in Bengaluru.

09:47 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar passes away: PM Modi likely to chair special cabinet meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to chair a special meeting of the Union Cabinet on Monday to condole the demise of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar. According to a PTI report, a resolution condoling the demise of Kumar and hailing his contribution will be passed. It is an established practice to pass resolutions in the memory of ministers and senior leaders. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

09:36 (IST)12 Nov 2018
State funeral for Ananth Kumar
09:27 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar passes away: Nitish Kumar expresses grief

In his message, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that Ananth Kumar 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. His demise is saddening."

09:21 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar's demise huge loss for govt, BJP: Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath termed Ananth Kumar's demise a shocking incident. He said that Kumar's passing away is a huge loss for the government as well as the party.  "Ananth Kumar Ji will be remembered as a good administrator and popular leader. I pay tribute to him on the behalf of Uttar Pradesh government," he said.

09:18 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar: Bengaluru’s most loved MP

Ananth Kumar was a staunch RSS ideologue and a hard boiled organisation man. He was considered Bengaluru’s most loved MP. Kumar was also the first person to speak in Kannada in the United Nations. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

09:12 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Tricolour to fly at half mast, state funeral for Ananth Kumar

Ministry of Home Affairs has declared that national flag will fly at half mast throughout the country on Monday as a mark of respect. Also, Ananth Kumar will be accorded state funeral.

09:06 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Who was Ananth Kumar ?

Ananth Kumar born in a middle class Brahmin family on July 22, 1959, in Bengaluru. He joined the RSS at an early age was made the state Secretary of ABVP. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 80s and contested elections from Bengaluru South parliamentary seat in 1996. Since then, he was elected to the Lower House from this seat for six consecutive terms. Kumar had managed to be in the inner circle of the central leadership of the BJP — be it during the heyday of Atal Bihari Vajpayee or LK Advani and now Narendra Modi. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

09:00 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar's role as Parliamentary Affairs Minister

In 2016, Ananth Kumar was made the Parliamentary Affairs Ministers by PM Naendra Modi. He was instrumental in the smooth conduct of the Parliament sessions by bring opposition parties on board. During the GST, Kumar had played a key role in the passage of Bill. He had held hectic parleys with opposition parties members to sort out the issues and thus make the GST a reality.

08:52 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar: Six-time MP from Bengaluru South

Ananth Kumar was a Lok Sabha MP from Bengaluru South parliamentary constituency. He had represented the seat six times in a row since 1996. In the previous Lok Sabha polls held in 2014, Ananth Kumar had defeated Congress' Nandan Nilekani. He was made Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister by Narendra Modi after BJP's mega in 2014. In 2016, he was given Parliamentary Affairs portfolio.

08:45 (IST)12 Nov 2018
President Kovind, PM Modi lead mourners

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar passed away on Monday morning at a Bengaluru hospital. He was 59. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi have expressed grief over the demise of Union Minister. Kumar's mortal remains are kept at his resident to allow public to pay homage. According to television reports, PM Modi may fly to Bengaluru later today. Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has declared a three-day mourning in the state and holiday today.

08:29 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar passes away: Three-day mourning declared in Karnataka

Three-day mourning declared in Karnataka over demise of Union Minister Ananth Kumar. One-day holiday declared for today.

08:14 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Ananth Kumar was suffering from cancer

Ananth Kumar was suffering from cancer. He had come back from the US in October after treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York. He is survived by wife and two daughters.

08:12 (IST)12 Nov 2018
Rahul Gandhi remembers Ananth Kumar

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has expressed grief over the death of Union Minister Ananth Kumar. In his message, Rahul said: "I am sorry to hear about the passing of Union Minister Ananth Kumar Ji, in Bengaluru, earlier this morning. My condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti."

  According to a PTI report, Ananth Kumar was not keeping well for some time and was on a ventilator for the last few days. Kumar, 59, was suffering from cancer. His wife had last week said that although Kumar was given proper treatment, infection was the concern. He was a six-time Lok Sabha MP from South Bengaluru constituency. Kumar was influenced by the RSS and was member Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). During the Emergency, Kumar was imprisoned along with thousands of other student activists. Later, he was elected as the state Secretary of ABVP and became its national secretary in 1985. He then joined the BJP. In 1996, Kumar was made the national secretary of BJP.