Bangalore: Newly elected Rajya Sabha member Ashok Gasti, who was admitted to a private hospital after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, died Thursday night, the hospital said. The 55-year-old Ashok Gasti was admitted to Manipal Hospital on Old Airport Road, September 2. He was diagnosed with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, passed away at 10.31pm, hospital director Manish Rai said in a statement.
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the demise of Gasti.
“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 hospital authorities, Gasti was critically ill with multi-organ failure. He 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.
Gasti is survived by his wife and two daughters, BJP sources said.
Gasti was a grassroots level worker hailing from Raichur. He was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha in June 12 this year on a BJP ticket.
Coming from the backward community of Savita Samaj (barber community), Gasti had been an RSS worker and was an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
Condoling the demise of Gasti, Vice-President Naidu said, “Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Shri Ashok Gasti, Rajya Sabha Member. He was known for his simplicity and commitment for the upliftment of the downtrodden. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. Om Shanti!”
Home Minister Shah tweeted, “Shocked and pained by the untimely demise of Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader from Karnataka, Shri Ashok Gasti ji.”
