President Kovind, PM Modi condole Ram Vilas Paswan’s demise

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the demise of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who passed away at Delhi hospital today. The LJP leader underwent a heart surgery just days back at a Delhi hospital.

President Ram Nath Kovind remembered Paswan as a voice of the oppressed and someone who championed the cause of marginalized.

“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 marginalised,” he tweeted.

“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,” he added.

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.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 8, 2020

Condoling the loss of valued colleague like Ram Vilas Paswan, PM Modi said, “the void will perhaps be never be filled.”

“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 tweeted.

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. pic.twitter.com/2UUuPBjBrj

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 8, 2020

“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,” he added.

PM Modi further said his interventions during cabinet meetings were very insightful.

“Working together, shoulder to shoulder with Paswan Ji has been an incredible experience. His interventions during Cabinet Meetings were insightful. From political wisdom, statesmanship to governance issues, he was brilliant. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” he said.

Working together, shoulder to shoulder with Paswan Ji has been an incredible experience. His interventions during Cabinet Meetings were insightful. From political wisdom, statesmanship to governance issues, he was brilliant. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 8, 2020

Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Paswan died at the age of 74 on Thursday.

His son Chirag Paswan shared the news with his tweet, “Papa, you are no more in this world now but I know that wherever you are, you are with me. Miss you Papa.”

Ram Vilas Paswan was Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in both NDA governments of 2014 and 2019.

Paswan was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1977 on a Janata Party ticket from Hajipur in Bihar.