Ashok Gasti, 55, is from Raichur in northern Karnataka.
Bangalore:
Ashok Gasti, a BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, suffering from COVID-19 and seriously ill, has clarified the hospital where he is being treated, amid reports of his death.
Rumors of his death began to circulate on social media after several top politicians tweeted their condolences. The 55-year-old man is admitted to the Manipal Hospital.
“He is seriously ill, but every effort is being made,” said Manipal Hospital medical director Dr. Sudarshan Ballal.
The hospital has said that the MP was admitted with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and is critical with multi-organ failure. He is on life support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The MP is from Raichur in North Karnataka and was previously a booth level worker.
Condolences started pouring in on Twitter after rumors of his death. The tweets came from top BJP leaders, including Interior Minister Amit Shah and India’s vice president, among others.
“Shocked and hurt by the untimely disappearance of MP Rajya Sabha and Karnataka BJP leader Shri Ashok Gasti ji. Over the years, he served the organization and the nation in multiple roles. My condolences to his family in this hour of pain. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti, “Amit Shah tweeted.
Rajya Sabha Vice Chairman and Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu tweeted:
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Shri Ashok Gasti, a member of Rajya Sabha. He was known for his simplicity and commitment to lifting up the downtrodden. My condolences to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti! pic.twitter.com/oa5lgJHon7
– Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) September 17, 2020
The president of the Karnataka Congress, DK Shivakumar, also tweeted.
“Deeply saddened to hear the news of Karnataka Shri MP Rajya Sabha passing by. Ashok Gasti. My condolences to his family and friends,” he said.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also tweeted:
Hurt to learn of the premature disappearance of MP Rajya Sabha and Karnataka BJP leader Ashok Gasti ji.
Committed to improving the lives of underserved people, his services to the nation have been exemplary. My thoughts are with the grieving family. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/zfgzLV6nlO
– Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 17, 2020
BJP Karnataka had also issued a clarification saying that the reports of Mr. Gasti’s death are not true and that he is being treated in a hospital.
After his election in June this year, Ashok Gasti has not had the opportunity to attend Parliament due to the pandemic. He is a member of Rajya Sabha for the first time.
At the time of his nomination, Mr. Gasti told NDTV, “This is a very happy event. A booth level worker has been recognized as well. This type of recognition is possible only at BJP. This has given a lot. enthusiasm to hundreds of thousands of BJP workers. I want to thank all the BJP leaders. “
None of the politicians who tweeted their condolences have deleted their tweets yet.
.
