NEW DELHI/BELAGAVI: Union minister of state for railways and Karnataka BJP MP Suresh Angadi, 65, passed away on Wednesday, days after he tested positive for Covid-19. Angadi is the first Central minister to die of coronavirus. Angadi passed away around 8 pm at the AIIMS trauma centre, which has been converted into a dedicated Covid-19 facility, sources at the hospital said.
“He was admitted to the hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. Initially, his condition was stable. It deteriorated suddenly on Monday evening and we couldn’t save him despite our best efforts,” doctors at AIIMS said.
Suresh Angadi Angadi was the fourth-term MP from Belagavi. At least six MLAs and three MPs have succumbed to Covid till now. Angadi had tweeted on September 11 that he had contracted the disease.
“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,” PM Narendra Modi tweeted. A pall of gloom descended over political circles and among the people in north Karnataka.