Coronavirus: Former Union minister Dilip Gandhi dies; PM Modi, BJP leaders pay tribute
The former minister had tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday.
![Coronavirus: Former Union minister Dilip Gandhi dies; PM Modi, BJP leaders pay tribute](https://sc0.blr1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/article/156315-xzqamjfaft-1615966570.jpg)
Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Union minister Dilip Gandhi died of coronavirus at a private hospital in New Delhi on Wednesday, reported The Indian Express. He was 69.
Gandhi had tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday. He was admitted to a private hospital where he was put on a ventilator.
The BJP leader began his career as a corporator in the 1980s. He won the Lok Sabha elections thrice since 1999 from Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar. Gandhi was the minister of state for shipping in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government in 2003. He was denied a ticket by the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
BJP leaders paid condolences to Gandhi’s family on his demise. A party leader credited Gandhi for the party’s alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party in the Ahmednagar civic body polls. “Gandhi took the initiative in forging an alliance with NCP and keeping Shiv Sena away,” said a BJP leader.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the demise of Gandhi. “He will be remembered for his rich contributions to community service and helping the poor,” he said. “He made numerous efforts to strengthen the BJP in Maharashtra. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.”
Saddened by the demise of former MP and Minister Shri Dilip Gandhi Ji. He will be remembered for his rich contributions to community service and helping the poor. He made numerous efforts to strengthen the BJP in Maharashtra. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 17, 2021
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was anguished by the BJP leader’s death. “He distinguished himself as an able administrator & Parliamentarian,” he said. “He worked towards the welfare of farmers & other weaker sections of our society. Condolences to his family and well wishers. Om Shanti!”
Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda praised Gandhi for his role in strengthening the BJP’s roots.
Anguished by the demise of former MP and Minister, Shri Dilip Gandhi ji. He distinguished himself as an able administrator & Parliamentarian.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 17, 2021
He worked towards the welfare of farmers & other weaker sections of our society. Condolences to his family and well wishers. Om Shanti!
Very sad to know about the unfortunate passing away of former MP and Minister Shri Dilip Gandhi Ji. He made a great contribution towards strengthening the roots of @BJP4India in Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to his family & supporters. Om Shanti.@BJP4Maharashtra
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) March 17, 2021
BJP leaders such as Jay Panda and Hasmukh Patel and Union minister Pralhad Joshi also paid their tributes. Shiv Sena corporator Balasaheb Borate also condoled Gandhi’s death. “Gandhi was a popular leader and had friends in all parties,” he said. “That is the reason why he could ensure BJP rule in the civic body with the help of NCP which is otherwise with the Sena at state-level.”
It was sad to hear the news of Demise of Former Minister and Senior Leader Shri Dilip Gandhi Ji. I pray for peace to their deceased soul and may god give strength to their family to endure trauma. Om Shanti.
— Hasmukh Patel MP (@hasmukhpatelmp) March 17, 2021
Condolences on the demise of Former Union Minister, Shri Dilip Gandhi ji. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and well-wishers, at this time of terrible loss. Om Shanti.
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) March 17, 2021
Shri @PandaJay Ji condoles the demise of former union minister and senior @BJP4India leader Shri Dilip Gandhi Ji.
— Office of Jay Panda (@mp_office) March 17, 2021
May Mahaprabhu Jagannath give the strength to his family to bear this huge loss.
Om Shanti 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/pFz7PzlXWz