Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away at 59 in Bengaluru
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Parliamentary Affairs and Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister, Kumar was not keeping well for sometime and was on ventilator for the last few days, Ministry officials said.
He was 59.
Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away in the wee hours of Monday in Bengaluru.
The 59-year-old political leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not been keeping well for the past few months.
Kumar held charge of two key ministries - serving as Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers since May 2014 and as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs since July 2016 in the Narendra Modi government. Since 1996 he has represented Bengaluru South constituency in the Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "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."
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018
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
I spoke to his wife, Dr. Tejaswini Ji and expressed condolences on the passing away of Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. My thoughts are with his entire family, friends and supporters in this hour of grief and sadness. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018
Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda expressed grief over Kumar's demise and tweeted, "Shocked, it's unbelievable, my friend , Brother Ananthkumar is no more."
Shocked , it’s unbelievable , My friend , Brother Ananthkumar is no more . pic.twitter.com/zMOYEn7gXc
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) November 12, 2018
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted, "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
Born on 22 July 1959 in Bengaluru, Kumar did his graduation in the faculty of Arts (B.A) from K S Arts College, Hubli affiliated to the Karnataka University and later, completed his bachelors in law (L.L.B) from J.S.S. Law College affiliated to the Karnataka University.
He is survived by two daughters- Aishwarya and Vijeta and wife Tejaswini.
The mortal remains of Union Minister Ananth Kumar will be kept at National College, Bengaluru, for last tributes.