New Delhi: Minister of state for railways and Karnataka BJP MP Suresh Angadi passed away on Wednesday, days after he tested positive for COVID-19.
The 65-year-old passed away at around 8 pm at the AIIMS trauma centre which has been converted into a dedicated COVID-19 facility.
A fourth-term MP from Belagavi, Angadi is the first Union minister to have died of coronavirus. At least six MLAs and three MPs have earlier succumbed to it. Former President Pranab Mukherjee, who died on August 31, was also diagnosed as COVID-19 positive.
Angadi had on September 11 himself announced on microblogging site Twitter that he had contracted the disease.
I have tested #Covid19 positive today. I am doing fine. Taking the advise of doctors.
Requesting all those who have come in close contact with me in the last few days to monitor their health and get tested in case of any symptoms. @PMOIndia
— Suresh Angadi (@SureshAngadi_) September 11, 2020
The MP from Belagavi had requested all those who came in close contact with him over the last few days to monitor their health and get tested in case of any symptoms.
India’s COVID-19 count now stands at 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 after Angadi’s death.
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. pic.twitter.com/2QDHQe0Pmj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2020
Extremely saddened by the passing away of Central Minister Shri Suresh Angadi Ji. He was a remarkable leader who dedicated all his life for organisation and went on to serve society with 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 & concern for the poor truly touched many lives.
He worked hard to make Indian Railways a world class service provider.
I was privileged to work with him so closely and he has left an indelible mark in my life. I will truly miss him.
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) September 23, 2020
May his soul rest in peace. May God give his family and well-wishers the strength to bear this pain.
2/2— H D Devegowda (@H_D_Devegowda) September 23, 2020
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
— 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 & Saddened by news of my MoS colleague, Shri Suresh Angadi ji’s passing away.
It is an unfathomable loss to the Government, people of Karnataka & the Party.
His selfless service during COVID19 is still vivid 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 Ministry of Home Affairs announced.
“Due to the sad demise of Suresh Angadi, the minister of state for railways, it has been decided that the national flag will be flown half mast on September 24, 2020 in all government offices in Delhi where it is usually flown,” a Home Ministry spokesperson said.
Angadi was a four-time MP from Belagavi, consecutively since 2004. The 65-year-old, survived by his wife and two daughters, was associated with the RSS from a young age.
Born on June 1, 1955 in a Lingayat family to Somawwa and Channabasappa Angadi in village Koppa in Belagavi, Angadi did his graduation from SSS Samiti College of Commerce in the same district. He did his law graduation from Raja Lakhamgouda Law College in Belagavi.
A businessman by profession, Angadi got a major break in his political career when he was appointed as the vice- president of Belagavi unit of the BJP and remained in that position till he was nominated as a party candidate for the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency in 2004.
During the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests in December 2019, Angadi had said the police should “shoot at sight” anyone seen destroying public property. “I have told the district administration and railway authorities concerned that if anybody destroys public property, they can be shot at sight. I am giving this directive as a Union minister,” he had said.
(With PTI inputs)