File photo of Ram Vilas Paswan with Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Source: Narendra Modi|Twitter)
New Delhi: Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan (74), who had undergone a heart surgery recently, died on Thursday. The news of the death of the veteran dalit leader and patron of Lok Janshakti Party was broken by his son Chirag Paswan in his tweet in Hindi.
पापा….अब आप इस दुनिया में नहीं हैं लेकिन मुझे पता है आप जहां भी हैं हमेशा मेरे साथ हैं।
Miss you Papa… pic.twitter.com/Qc9wF6Jl6Z— युवा बिहारी चिराग पासवान (@iChiragPaswan) October 8, 2020
(“Papa…is no more in this world but wherever you are, I know you are with me. Miss you Papa”).
One of the most prominent dalit faces in the country, he had been in active politics for more than five decades. He was the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in the present government. However, only a couple of days back his party had parted ways with the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar over differences with Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United President Nitish Kumar, and decided to contest the state elections on its own.
Born on July 5, 1946 at Shaharbanni in Khagaria in Bihar, Ram Vilas had become an MLA in Bihar for the first time in 1969. He remained a Member of Parliament for ten terms. In 1977, he entered the Guinness Book 0f World Record by winning elections to the Sixth Lok Sabha from Hajipur by the highest margin (of 4,24, 545 votes). In the Seventh Lok Sabha, he was the Leader of the Lok Dal (Karpoori). He became a cabinet minister for the first time in the Ninth Lok Sabha (Labour and Welfare, 1989-91), and never looked back despite a brief setback when he lost his seat in 2009 General Elections and could not be a member of 15th Lok Sabha. he bounced back in 2014 and again got a cabinet berth.
Paying homage to the departed leader, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: “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.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while expressing his grief over the passing away of Paswan, said in a series of tweets, “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.
Shri Ram Vilas Paswan Ji rose in politics through hardwork 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.
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.”
– globalbihari bureau
