Former Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party Founder Ram Vilas Paswan passed away on Thursday The 74-year-old had undergone a heart surgery in Delhi based hospital recently.
"Papa...you are no more in the world but you will always be with me. Miss you Papa...," his son Chirag tweeted.
He has served as a Union minister under five Prime Ministers and his party has been a member of all national coalitions. An eight time Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha, was one of the nation's most noted Dalit leaders.
Born in Khagaria district of Bihar on July 5, 1946, he had been selected for police service but chose to join politics. First elected as an MLA in 1969, he had completed five decades in active politics in 2019. Entering Parliament for the first time in 1977 - with a record margin, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Hajipur parliamentary constituency for eight times and served as Union Minister under six Prime Ministers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke to Chirag Paswan over phone to extend their condolences.
Condolence message started pouring in from across the political spectrum.
Modi tweeted: "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."
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "The untimely demise of Ram Vilas Paswan Paswan is saddening. The poor downtrodden and Dalit lost a strong voice today. My condolences to his family members."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took to Twitter, writing: "Death of Ram Vilas Paswanji is very painful to me. In his long political career he always worked for the upliftment of poor, downtrodden and dalits. He was considered among one of the tallest leaders associated with soil of Bihar and he has good relations across the political lines."
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted: "I am shocked either the news of Ram Vilas Paswanji. My heartfelt condolences to him. Paswanji has played an important role in uplifting poor, marginalized Dalit and downtrodden. May god give peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti."
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condoled the death of Paswan.
(With IANS inputs)
