LJP founder and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan passes away

Lok Janshakti Party founder and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan passed away on Thursday evening. He was 74. He breathed his last a Delhi hospital. He had undergone a heart surgery recently. 

"Papa...you are not in this world today but I know no matter where you are, you will always be with me. Miss you papa," his son Chirag tweeted.

Paswan was active in politics for more than five decades and was one of the country’s most noted Dalit leaders. Few days ago, Chirag in an open letter said that he won’t be available to the party workers in Bihar because of the illness of his father. Chirag informed that his father is in ICU. Chirag had said that his father had been ignoring his health problems and working continuously to serve the people during the coronavirus crisis. 

Paswan was a Rajya Sabha member. He was the Cabinet Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in the Modi government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of Ram



Vilas Paswan. “I am saddened beyond words. There is a void in our nation that will perhaps never be filled. 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," he tweeted.

“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,” the PM said in another tweet.

The eight-time Lok Sabha member started his political career as member of Samyukta Socialist Party. He was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1969. He then joined Lok Dal. During the mergency, Paswan was put behind the bars. He entered the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1977 as a Janata Party member from Hajipur constituency. He was elected to the Lower House from Hajipur seven times sinc then.