Image Source: Telegraph India

Agencies:

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan dies days after Heart Surgery

New Delhi
October 9, 2020

Ram Vilas Paswan - Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet and the founder of the Lok Janshakti party died on Thursday at a Delhi hospital where he was recuperating from heart surgery. The 74 year old was undergoing treatment at the hospital and had to undergo surgery last Saturday "due to the situation that had suddenly emerged," his son Chirag Paswan had tweeted on Saturday.

On Thursday evening, the 37 year old posted the news of his death.

"Papa... Now you are not in this world but I know you are always with me wherever you are. Miss you Papa," read his post, with which he shared a throwback photograph with his father.

Home Ministry officials said state funeral will be accorded to Ram Vilas Paswan and the national flag will fly at half mast in Delhi and state capitals on Friday as mark of respect. Cremation will take place in Patna on Saturday.

Twitter was flooded with tributes for the departed leader. Among the first to tweet was President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi, Congress's Rahul Gandhi, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.

"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," PM Modi's post read.