LJP chief Chirag Paswan thanked Prime Minister Modi for his help in organizing his father’s funeral (Archive)
Patna:
LJP chief Chirag Paswan, who is mourning the loss of his father, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, today offered Prime Minister Narendra Modi his “sincere gratitude” for his help in organizing the funeral that was held. celebrated at Janardhana Ghat in Patna on Saturday.
In an emotional tweet posted tonight, Chirag Paswan said that he was going through a difficult phase and that the unsolicited help from the Prime Minister had been a blessing. He also said that he hoped these blessings would always remain with him.
“Respected Prime Minister Narendra ModiHee… my sincere thanks for your help in organizing my dad’s funeral and last rites. Sir … made all the arrangements without me asking for anything. As a son, I am going through a very difficult phase, but I am inspired by his courage and encouragement, “Paswan said in Hindi.
“May your blessings and affection always remain,” he added.
Ram Vilas Paswan, 74, died in a Delhi hospital last week after undergoing heart surgery the previous week. His body was transferred to Patna and he was given a state funeral yesterday. The last rites were performed by his deeply distressed son, who fell unconscious after lighting the funeral pyre.
Chirag Paswan, an obedient son who posted videos of him playing barber for his father during the Covid lockdown, wept inconsolably when the prime minister visited the family’s residence in Delhi to pay his last respects.
Chirag Paswan, struck by pain, fainted after lighting the funeral pyre for his father, Ram Vilas Paswan.
“It saddens me beyond words. There is a void in our nation that may never be filled. Shri Ram Vilas PaswanHeeThe disappearance is a personal loss. I lost a friend, a valued colleague and someone who was extremely passionate about ensuring that every poor person led a dignified life, “the prime minister tweeted on Thursday following news of Ram Vilas Paswan’s death.
I am saddened beyond words. There is a void in our nation that may never be filled. The disappearance of Shri Ram Vilas Paswan Ji is a personal loss. I lost a friend, a valued colleague, and someone who was extremely passionate about ensuring that every poor person lives a dignified life. pic.twitter.com/2UUuPBjBrj
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 8, 2020
Paswan must now overcome the loss of his father and lead his party in the Bihar Assembly elections that begin in less than 20 days.
The young politician, who has made no secret of his major ministerial ambitions or criticism of Prime Minister Nitish Kumar, had previously raised the flag of revolt against the ruling BJP-led NDA in the state and said the LJP would not contest the elections with JDU of Mr. Kumar.
Days later, the BJP warned the LJP leader, with Senior Deputy Minister Sushil (the most important party leader in the state) saying: “Go back to the BJP fold or you will be expelled.”
The BJP’s relationship with the Paswan family has been complicated in the past due to Chirag Paswan’s criticism of Nitish Kumar and the fact that Ram Vilas Paswan was a member of the Narendra Modi government.
Elections for the 243-member Assembly of Bihar will take place in three phases starting on October 28. Results are due November 3.
With input from PTI
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