Veteran BJP leader Ashwini Kumar is no more

Leaders pay rich tribute

Leaders pay rich tribute

Veteran BJP leader and former MP Ashwini Kumar passed away in Lucknow on February 4. He was unwell for some time. He was 84. Presently, he was national convener of Shahayog  Cell of the party.

The last rites were performed in Lucknow on February 6. Many senior BJP leaders including Shri LK Advani, general secretary Shri Anantha Kumar, vice president Shri Kalraj Mishra and others attended the funeral.

A condolence meeting was held at party headquarters in New Delhi on February 9 where many senior leaders including national president Shri Nitin Gadkari paid tribute.

Born in Uttar Pradesh on November 18, 1928, Ashwini Kumar had his primary education from Gorakhpur and then had graduate degree in Chemical Engirnnring from Benaras Hindu University. After completing education he became a Sangh Pracharak and worked in Basti, Balia and Jaunpur districts in different capacities. Later, he joined active politics as an activist of Bihar Pradesh Jan Sangh and held various responsibilities in Bihar. He was elected Bihar Pradesh president of BJP in 1995. After that, he held the responsibility of BJP Parliamentary Party Office Secretary  in New Delhi from 1997 to 2007. He was elected to Rajya Sabha twice from Bihar in 1980 and 1986.

Bihar unit of the party  also condoled the death of its former president. Party’s state chief Dr CP Thakur represented the state unit at the funeral in Lucknow. A condolence meeting was held at party  headquarters in Patna. Among those who were present were former governor Kailashpati Mishra, chairman of Bihar Legislative Council Tara Kant Jha, etc. Ashwini Kumar was among the leaders who along with Shri Kailashpati Mishra laid the foundation of the Jan Sangh in Bihar and also ensured the spread of BJP in the state since 1977.

Senior BJP leader Dr MM Joshi expressed deep felt sorrow and  grief at the demise of  Ashwiniji. Ashwiniji was  a model swayamsevak and a devoted karyakarta. His void is difficult to fill, he added.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi also condoled the death of Ashwiniji. Shri Nitish Kumar said Ashwiniji was a committed social worker and a respected political leader. Shri Sushil  Modi recalled his contribution in formation of Janata Party government in Bihar in 1977.

(FOC)