BJP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Gasti cremated with state honours

The last rites of newly-elected Rajya Sabha member Ashok Gasti were preformed in Raichuru Taluk with full state honours and following COVID protocols. Gasti had tested positive for the infection and passed away yesterday.

Bengaluru: Newly elected Rajya Sabha member Ashok Gasti, who has passed away due to COVID-19, was cremated with full state honours in Raichuru Taluk. His last rites were performed in Pothagal village according to Savitha Samaja rituals. The mortal remains of Gasti were consigned to flames following the Gasti customs and his elder son lit the pyres

Political leaders from the entire political spectrum paid their last respects to the BJP leader. His last rites were performed with full COVID-19 protocols with minimum participation following social distancing norms. Policemen and other dignitaries paid floral tributes and guard of honour to the departed soul.

Gasti was admitted to a private hospital after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. Fifty-five-year-old politician, who was admitted to Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road on September 2 and diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, passed away at 10.31 pm yesterday, hospital director Manish Rai said in a statement.

READ: BJP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Gasti passes away due to COVID

Condoling Gasti's demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was passionate about empowering the poor and marginalised sections of society.

"Rajya Sabha MP Shri Ashok Gasti was a dedicated Karyakarta who worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka. He was passionate about empowering the poor and marginalised sections of society. Anguished by his passing away. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," Modi tweeted.

According to Rai, Gasti was critically ill with multi-organ failure and was on life support system under constant observation of an expert panel of doctors.

"We deeply regret the loss and express our condolences to his family and friends," Rai said.

A grassroots level worker hailing from Raichur, Gasti was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha in June this year on a BJP ticket. Coming from the backward community of Savita Samaj, Gasti had been an RSS worker and was an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

With PTI inputs