New Delhi: The Minister of State for Railways and Karnataka BJP deputy Suresh Angadi passed away on Wednesday, days after testing positive for COVID-19.
The 65-year-old man passed away around 8 p.m. at the AIIMS trauma center, which has been converted into a dedicated COVID-19 facility.
Angadi, Belagavi’s fourth-term deputy, is the Union’s prime minister to die of coronavirus. At least six MLA and three MPs have previously succumbed. Former President Pranab Mukherjee, who died on August 31, was also diagnosed as COVID-19 positive.
Angadi himself announced on September 11 on the microblogging site Twitter that he had contracted the disease.
I have tried # COVID-19 positive today. I’m fine. Taking the advice of doctors.
Asking all those who have been in close contact with me in the last few days to monitor their health and get tested for any symptoms. @PMOIndia
– Suresh Angadi (@SureshAngadi_) September 11, 2020
The Belagavi deputy had asked everyone who was in close contact with him in recent days to monitor his health and get tested in case of any symptoms.
India’s COVID-19 count is now 45,62,415, including 9,43,480 active cases, 35,42,664 recoveries, and 76,271 deaths.
Several political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed their grief and condolences over Angadi’s death.
Shri Suresh Angadi was an exceptional Karyakarta, who worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka. He was a dedicated MP and effective minister, admired across the spectrum. His disappearance is sad. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/2QDHQe0Pmj
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2020
Very saddened by the passing of Central Minister Shri Suresh Angadi Ji. He was an extraordinary leader who dedicated his entire life to the organization and went on to serve society with the utmost diligence and compassion.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and followers.– Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) September 23, 2020
Suresh Angadi ji’s compassion and concern for the poor really touched many lives.
He worked hard to make Indian Railways a world-class service provider.
I had the privilege of working with him so closely and he has left an indelible mark on my life. I will really miss it.
– Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 23, 2020
May his soul rest in peace. May God give his family and supporters the strength to endure this pain.
2/2– HD Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) September 23, 2020
Deeply pained upon learning of the passing of MoS Railways and Karnataka BJP Senior Leader Shri Suresh Angadi ji. He will always be remembered for his selfless service to the nation and the party. My condolences to his family. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
– Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 23, 2020
Tragic, terrible, sad news of @ BJP4Karnataka leader n minister @SureshAngadi_ passing away 😢😢#OmShanthi 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/YFOLrfy0U0
– Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@rajeev_mp) September 23, 2020
Shocked and saddened by the news of the death of my colleague from MoS, Shri Suresh Angadi ji.
It is an unfathomable loss for the Government, the people of Karnataka and the Party.
Your selfless service during COVID19 lives on before our eyes.
My condolences to his family.
Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZNzxY49L36– G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) September 23, 2020
The national flag will be flown at half mast on Thursday in all government offices in Delhi due to Angadi’s death, the Interior Ministry announced.
“Due to the sad disappearance of Suresh Angadi, the state minister for railways, it was decided that the national flag will be hoisted at half mast on September 24, 2020 at all government offices in Delhi, where it is usually flown,” a Home Said the Ministry spokesman.
Angadi was a Belagavi deputy four times, consecutively since 2004. The 65-year-old man, survived by his wife and two daughters, was associated with the RSS from an early age.
Born on June 1, 1955 into a Lingayat family from Somawwa and Channabasappa Angadi in the Koppa village of Belagavi, Angadi graduated from SSS Samiti College of Commerce in the same district. He did his law degree from Raja Lakhamgouda Law School in Belagavi.
A businessman by profession, Angadi had a major break in his political career when he was appointed vice president of the BJP’s Belagavi unit and remained in that position until he was nominated as a party candidate for the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency in 2004..
During protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Law in December 2019, Angadi had said that the police should “shoot on sight” anyone seen destroying public property. “I have told the district administration and concerned railway authorities that if someone destroys public property, they can be shot on sight. I give this directive as Minister of the Union ”, he had said.
(With PTI inputs)
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