BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka Ashok Gasti has, on Thursday, passed away in Bangalore at the age of 55 after he was tested positive for the COVID-19 viral infection and his demise has come nearly two months after he took oath as the member of the Upper house of the Parliament representing Karnataka. 

According to reports, Ashok Gasti was initially admitted to Raichur District Hospital on August 31 with the complaints of fever. Later he was tested positive for the COVID-19 pandemic and on September 2, he was taken to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru for further treatments.  The parliamentarian was suffering from breathing problems for the last few days and he also had reported with comorbidities. After his health had deteriorated, he was put under the ventilator support and was critical. 

His health condition had further worsened and on Thursday, he breathed his last at the hospital, leaving the state and the fellow party members to a deep shock. The BJP leader was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka on July 22 this year. However, his stint as a parliamentarian had come to an end in two months after he has died amid the ongoing monsoon session of the Parliament. 

By issuing conformity on his demise, the hospital said, "Shri Ashok Gasti, Hon'ble Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha, who was admitted to Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road on 02.09.2020, diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia passed away at 10.31 pm. He was 55 years old. He was critically ill with multi-organ failure on the life support system in the Intensive Care Unit under constant observation by our expert panel of doctors".

The hospital added, "We deeply regret the loss and express our condolences to his family and friends". His demise has come a day after Lok Sabha MP representing Tirupati constituency Balli Durga Prasad Rao had died of the global pandemic. Prasad Rao, who was the MP of Andhra Pradesh ruling YSRC party, had died at a private hospital in Chennai on the evening hours of Wednesday at the age of 64. The reports say three MPs had died due to novel coronavirus in India so far - Congress MP H Vasanthakumar from Tamil Nadu, Prasad Rao from YSRCP, and Ashok Gasti of BJP from Karnataka. 

As a lawyer by profession, Ashok Gasti had joined BJP when he was 18-years-old. Being a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Gasti was particularly known for organizing BJP in the Raichur district of Karnataka and he also has headed the Yuva Morcha of Karnataka BJP as its president. He went on to serve as the Chairman of the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission in 2012. 

Gasti was nominated by the BJP for the Upper house of the Parliament from Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha biennial elections this year and following his elevation as the Rajya Sabha member, Gasti had asserted that his primary objective was to irrigate the lands of farmers located in the Krishna and Tungabhadra river basins and he had assured industrial investment to Raichur district to create more jobs for the backward and marginalized communities. 

After knowing the sudden demise of the newly-elected Rajya Sabha MP, national leaders have been paying tributes and condolences to the departed parliamentarian. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Rajya Sabha MP Shri Ashok Gasti was a dedicated Karyakarta who worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka. He was passionate about empowering the poor and marginalized sections of society. Anguished by his passing away. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti."

Rajya Sabha MP Shri Ashok Gasti was a dedicated Karyakarta who worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka. He was passionate about empowering the poor and marginalised sections of society. Anguished by his passing away. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2020

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "Shocked and pained on the untimely demise of Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader from Karnataka, Shri Ashok Gasti ji. Over the years, he served the organization & nation in multiple roles. My deepest condolences are with his family in this hour of grief. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti".

Shocked and pained on the untimely demise of Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader from Karnataka, Shri Ashok Gasti ji. Over the years, he served the organization & nation in multiple roles. My deepest condolences are with his family in this hour of grief. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 17, 2020

Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu took to Twitter and expressed his condolences to the departed leader. In his obituary, he said, "Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Shri Ashok Gasti, Rajya Sabha Member. He was known for his simplicity and commitment for the upliftment of the downtrodden. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti!".

Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Shri Ashok Gasti, Rajya Sabha Member. He was known for his simplicity and commitment for the upliftment of the downtrodden. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti!

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) September 17, 2020

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa placed his homage for the deceased leader. Tweeting in Kannada, he said, "The news of the death of MP Ashok Gusti, a loyalist of the party, has come as a shock. Unable to believe the news of his untimely demise. May God grant mercy to his soul and give the family the power to endure grief. Om Shanti". 

Initially, the parliamentarian was surfaced with the rumors which widely circulated on the evening hours of Thursday which said that he had passed away. However, the hospital issued clarification he was still at a critical state and battling for life. Hours later, the hospital issued conformity that Ashok Gasti had breathed his last at 10.31 pm on Thursday.