Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away early Monday morning in Bengaluru, officials said. He was 59.

Kumar, who served as Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers since May 2014, was undergoing treatment for cancer at Shankara Cancer Hospital in the city.

He also served as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs since July 2016 in the Modi government. Kumar was a BJP MP from south Bengaluru constituency.

Officials said that he was not keeping well for sometime and was on ventilator for the last few days. He had come back from the US in October after treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York.

Expressing condolences on his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Ananth Kumar Ji was an able administrator, who handled many ministerial portfolios and was a great asset to the BJP organisation. He worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents..I spoke to his wife, Dr. Tejaswini Ji and expressed condolences on the passing away of Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. My thoughts are with his entire family, friends and supporters in this hour of grief and sadness. Om Shanti."

Ananth Kumar Ji was an able administrator, who handled many ministerial portfolios and was a great asset to the BJP organisation. He worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018

“Deep sense of grief on hearing that Shri Ananth Kumar is no more with us. Served BJP all along. Bengaluru was in his head and heart, always. May God give his family the strength to bear with this loss,” said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Twitter.

Deep sense of grief on hearing that Shri @AnanthKumar_BJP is no more with us. Served @BJP4India @BJP4Karnataka all along. Bengaluru was in his head and heart, always. May God give his family the strength to bear with this loss.

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 12, 2018

Absolutely shocked and pained by the demise of very senior colleague and a friend Shri Anant Kumar ji. He was a seasoned parliamentarian who served the nation in several capacities. His passion and devotion for the welfare of people was commendable. My condolences to his family.

— राजनाथ सिंह (@rajnathsingh) November 12, 2018

Kumar is survived by his wife Dr Tejaswini and two daughters, Aishwarya and Vijeta.

(With inputs from PTI)

First Published:Nov 12, 2018 6:29 AM IST