Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi dies of COVID-19

Sept. 23: Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi passed away at 8 PM on Wednesday at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. He was 65. Following his swab samples returning positive for COVID-19 on September 11, just ahead of the monsoon session of the Parliament, he was admitted at AIIMS. He is the first Union minister to have died of coronavirus. At least six MLAs and three MPs have earlier succumbed to it.

President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, “Shocked to know the passing away of Shri Suresh Angadi, Union Minister of State of Railways. An amiable leader Shri Angadi worked tirelessly for the people of his constituency, Belagavi and Karnataka.” “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. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti,” PM Modi tweeted.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed that the national flag be flown half mast on Thursday in all Government offices in Delhi.