Bangalore: Karnataka BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Gasti passes away on Thursday due to Covid- 19 in a hospital. He was suffering critically ill and was admitted to Manipal Hospital. The hospital’s director, Dr Manish Rai, said in a statement that the MP died at 10.31 PM.

The hospital said the Rajya Sabha member was admitted with severe Covid-19 pneumonia and was critical after multi-organ failure. He was on life support in the ICU. Gasti was from Raichur in north Karnataka and was previously a booth-level worker. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Gasti a “dedicated karyakarta” and condoled his death on Twitter. Gasti was first-time Rajya Sabha member and had not attended Parliament due to the pandemic, after he elected unopposed in June this year.

Condolences started pouring in on Twitter after Gasti’s death:

Amit Shah in his condolence tweet said that “Shocked and pained on the untimely demise of Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader from Karnataka, Shri Ashok Gasti ji. Over the years, he served the organization & nation in multiple roles. My deepest condolences are with his family in this hour of grief, Om Shanti Shanti Shanti”.

Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu expressed his grief and said Gasti was known “for his simplicity and commitment for the upliftment of the downtrodden”.

Karnataka Congress president DK Shiva kumar tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing away of Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka Shri. Ashok Gasti. My condolences to his family and his friends.”