Current affairs

'Nation has lost a visionary leader': From President to PM Modi, leaders pay tribute to Ram Vilas Paswan!

By alagu, 09 October, 2020
India, Bihar, Ram Vilas Paswan, Elections

When LJP leader Chirag Paswan broke out the news of his father Ram Vilas Paswan's demise on Thursday, it has shocked the party members and the national leaders on learning the demise of whom they called as the towering leader, the voice of the oppressed, and a brilliant statesman. Ram Vilas Paswan was serving as the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. 

He was suffering from heart-related ailments and was battling for survival for the past few weeks. He was getting treated at a private hospital in Delhi and had undergone heart surgery on October 3 and he was placed under critical condition. Amid the treatment, he had breathed his last on Thursday at the age of 74 and his demise has come days ahead of the Bihar legislative polls during which his LSP has been one of the influential parties. 

After learning his demise, national leaders have been paying tribute and sharing how the nation has lost an unparalleled leader. President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had expressed their condolences to the deceased leaders and said that he had worked for the welfare of the masses. 

In his obituary note, President Ram Nath Kovind has said, "In the demise of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, the nation has lost a visionary leader. He was among the most active and longest-serving members of parliament. He was the voice of the oppressed, and championed the cause of the marginalized". "A firebrand socialist in youth, mentored by the likes of Jayaprakash Narayan during anti-Emergency movement, Paswan ji had enviable rapport with masses and he ardently strove for their welfare. Condolences to his family and supporters", the head of the state wrote on his Twitter. 

In a series of Tweets, Prime Minister Modi had paid condolences and remembered Paswan's contribution. The Prime Minister said, "I am saddened beyond words. There is a void in our nation that will perhaps never be filled. Shri Ram Vilas Paswan Ji’s demise is a personal loss. I have lost a friend, valued colleague, and someone who was extremely passionate to ensure every poor person leads a life of dignity". 

Modi further added, "Shri Ram Vilas Paswan Ji rose in politics through hard work and determination. As a young leader, he resisted tyranny and the assault on our democracy during the Emergency. He was an outstanding Parliamentarian and Minister, making lasting contributions in several policy areas". Sharing a picture with him, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said, "Deeply anguished by the demise of Union Minister, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan Ji. He was an exemplary leader who served the people and nation till his last breath. He was a distinguished parliamentarian and always strove for the empowerment of the marginalised".

Union Ministers had shared their tributes on losing their fellow colleague in the cabinet. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Saddened to hear about the passing away of Minister @irvpaswan. A seasoned leader, he never failed to speak up for the deprived. His perspectives in policy making were invaluable. Amiable, accessible and unassuming, his absence will be felt for a long time to come". 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said, "The news of the untimely demise of Ram Vilas Paswan ji is sad. The poor-downtrodden lost a strong political voice today. My condolences to his family members". Congress President Sonia Gandhi has shared her condolence message in which she said, "My deepest condolences on the passing away of Shri Ram Vilas Paswan. A towering personality, who stood with the cause of social justice and empowerment of the most marginalized, Shri Paswan will be forever remembered for asserting the cause of social and political equity". 

Sonia Gandhi further wrote, "My thoughts are with his wife, Chirag, and all the family members, friends, and followers in this moment of loss and grief". According to reports, a meeting of the Union Cabinet has been convened on Friday to express condolences over the demise of the cabinet minister. Following his demise, the spokesperson of the Union Home Ministry said that the national flag will be flown at half-mast on October 9 in Delhi and capitals of all the states and UTs as a mark of respect to Ram Vilas Paswan. 

The reports stated that Ram Vilas Paswan's mortal remains have been brought to his Janpath residence in Delhi from AIIMS, Delhi and it will be taken to Patna at 2 pm on Friday and will be kept at the LJP office for the public to pay homage and the last rites will take place in Patna on Saturday. On Friday, President Kovind, Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several leaders had paid tribute to the deceased leader and condoled the family members at his residence in Delhi. 


 

 

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