India / Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi dies due to COVID-19 at 65

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi died of Covid-19 at All India Medical Institute of India (AIIMS), Delhi on Wednesday.

The BJP MP, initially asymptomatic, was admitted to the dedicated Covid-19 facility at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where he passed away.

However, AIIMS did not release an official statement until the time this article got published.

The BJP MP initially asymptomatic was admitted to the dedicated Covid-19 facility at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, where he passed away. Angadi's wife Mangala and other members were also in hospital when he died.

It is yet to be decided where the cremation will be held. Since he died of Covid-19, the cremation will be held as per protocol. The government officials and family members will take a decision, said a member in the family.

If the body is not allowed to take Belagavi, the cremation will be held at Lodhi Road Crematorium, he said. Karnataka Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar, the relative of Angadi, rushed to Delhi and were holding discussion with family members on cremation.

However, Shankar Patil, Karnataka Special Representative to Delhi said that he had asked Karnataka Bhavan employees to meet the family members and AIIMS officials to co-ordinate the further procedure.

He said that if permitted, officals would make arrangement to take the body to Belagavi.

Soon after news of his death spread at 8.30 pm, Karnataka MPs, who are here to attend Parliament Session, rushed to the hospital.

Later in the night BJP National President J P Nadda, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, and MPs and senior officials Ministry of Railways, visited his official residence on South Avenue Lane and expressed their condolences to Angadi family members.

A pall of gloom descends over Angadi's residence as shocked leaders rushed to express their condolences.

As a mark of respect, the national flag will be flown half mast in all Government offices in Delhi on Thursday said the Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement.

Angadi is the first member of the Union Cabinet to succumb to coronavirus. He is also the second member of Parliament from Karnataka to die of Covid-19 after BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Gasti passed away last week.

President Ram Nath Kovind condoled the death of Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi. "An amiable leader Suresh Angadi worked tirelessly for the people of his constituency, Belagavi, and Karnataka,"  President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted. Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu also expressed shock to the demise of Angadi.

"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," PM Modi tweeted sharing a photo with Suresh Angadi.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J P Nadda and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal also condoled Angadi's death.

Angadi was an active minister of state for railways and he was given a lot of responsibilities in the Ministry. Since Railways Cabinet Minister Piyush Goyal has Commerce and Industries portfolio, Goyal had given a number of responsibilities to Angadi. He used to travel several states to review the works of the ministry also.

Angadi was also instrumental in allocating more funds and projects in Railway Budget for Karnataka.