Union minister Ananth Kumar passes away: Karnataka declares holiday today, CM Kumaraswamy meets bereaved family

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

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.

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."

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

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."

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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."

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

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.

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.

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."

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.

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."

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."

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.

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.

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.

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

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."

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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."