Ram Vilas Paswan passes away
Ram Vilas Paswan passes away
Varanasi: Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party founder Ram Vilas Paswan passed away at a hospital in Delhi on Thursday evening. He was 74. He had undergone a heart surgery recently.
“Papa …. Now you are not in this world but I know you are always with me wherever you are. Miss you Papa….,” Chirag Paswan tweeted with a throwback photo of his father hugging a younger him.
Paswan, who had been in politics for more than five decades and is one of the country’s most recognisable Dalit leaders.
In his tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind said, “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”. In another tweet the President said, “A firebrand socialist in youth, mentored by the likes of Jayaprakash Narayan during anti-Emergency movement, Paswan ji had enviable rapport with masses and he ardently strove for their welfare. Condolences to his family and supporters”.
In his tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “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.”
“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 hard work 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,” PM tweeted.
Ram Vilas Paswan passes away
Paswan started his political career as member of Samyukta Socialist Party and was elected to the Bihar Assembly in 1969. Later, he joined Lok Dal upon its formation in 1974, and became its general secretary. He opposed the emergency, and was arrested during the period. He entered the Lok Sabha in 1977, as a Janata Party member from Hajipur constituency. He was elected again in 1980, 1989, 1996 and 1998, 1999, 2004, and 2014.
In 2000, Paswan formed the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) as its president. Subsequently, in 2004, he joined the ruling UPA government and remained a union minister. He won the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, but lost the 2009 elections. After being a member of a Rajya Sabha member from 2010 to 2014, he was elected again to the 16th Lok Sabha in 2014 from Hajipur constituency.
