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Union Minister Suresh Angadi has passed away due to COVID-19, becomes the first victim in Modi's cabinet!

By alagu, 24 September, 2020
India, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Global Pandemic

Union Minister of State for Railways and BJP Lok Sabha MP Suresh Angadi has passed away on Wednesday at the age of 65 in Delhi due to the COVID-19 viral infection, becoming the first minister in Modi's cabinet and fourth Parliamentarian in India to succumb to the pandemic. 

Being an ardent supporter of the BJP, Angadi has been representing Belagavi parliamentary constituency in Karnataka in the current parliament. He was elected to the lower house from the same constituency for four consecutive elections - 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019. One of the notable faces for the party in Karnataka, Angadi has enhanced his stronghold in his constituency and rose to fame after getting inducted to the current cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

His face became popular in Belagavi after he was appointed as the BJP district president in 2001 and when he entered the Lok Sabha for the third time after winning in the 2014 elections, it was speculated that he would be awarded with the Cabinet seat. However, the BJP leadership unit hasn't picked his name to be part of the decision-making body. 

Angadi has got a ticket to the Cabinet after marking a significant victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Belagavi. After Modi has formed his government at the Center for the second term, Angadi was appointed as the Union Minister of State for Railways and he had held the post till his last breath. 

As a Parliamentarian, Angadi has also served on many Parliamentary Committees including the standing committee for Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, the standing committee on Human Resource Development,  and he was the chairperson of the Parliament House Committee from 2016 to 2019. In what had come as a shocking development, Suresh Angadi said he has tested positive for the COVID-19 viral infection. 

He put out the news of getting tested positive through his Twitter and further asked those who have come in close contact with him to get tested. He was admitted to the AIIMS, Delhi on September 11, at around 6.30 pm and he was getting treated by a team of doctors. However, his health had deteriorated and he breathed his last on the night hours of Wednesday at the age of 65, becoming the first minister in the Modi's cabinet and fourth MP in the country to die due to the pandemic. 

Previously, Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu H Vasantha Kumar (Congress), Tirupati MP Balli Durga Prasad Rao (YSR Congress), and Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka Ashok Gasti (BJP) had succumbed to the viral infection and all of these Parliamentarians were from the South Indian states. After the news of Suresh Angadi's demise broke out, national leaders have been paying condolences to the deceased leader.  

President Ram Nath Kovind took to Twitter and said, "Shocked to know the passing away of Shri Suresh Angadi, Union Minister of State of Railways. An amiable leader Shri Angadi worked tirelessly for the people of his constituency, Belagavi, and Karnataka." By posting a picture with him, Prime Minister Modi said, "Shri Suresh Angadi was an exceptional Karyakarta, who worked hard to make the Party strong in Karnataka. He was a dedicated MP and effective Minister, admired across the spectrum. His demise is saddening. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti".

 

In his obituary, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Deeply saddened by the demise of Rail Rajya Mantri, Shri Suresh Angadiji. He was a good administrator, seasoned Parliamentarian and blessed with a warm and affable personality. My heartfelt condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti!". By taking to Twitter, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Deeply pained to learn about the passing away of MoS Railways and senior BJP leader from Karnataka, Shri Suresh Angadi ji. He will always be remembered for his selfless service to the nation and party. My deepest condolences are with his family. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti". 

 

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