Union minister for parliamentary affairs Ananth Kumar, who died on Monday at a private hospital in Bengaluru due to multiple organ failure, was accorded a state funeral with 21-gun salute and a guard of honour on Tuesday. The funeral was held at a crematorium in the city’s southwest suburb in accordance with Hindu rites.The veteran BJP lawmaker died at the Shankara Cancer Hospital early on Monday, three weeks after he was admitted on return from the US on October 21.Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew into the city on Monday night from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and paid his last respects to Kumar at his residence in the city’s southern suburb by laying a wreath on the Tricolour-draped glass casket in which his body lay in waiting for public homage.On Monday, the Karnataka government declared a three-day mourning across the state and one-day public holiday for Monday as a mark of respect to Kumar.Highlights:
2:11 pm IST
Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar pays tribute to Ananth Kumar
Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar and state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao pay tribute to Ananth Kumar.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar and state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao pay tribute to #AnanthKumar, who passed away on November 11. pic.twitter.com/W76qBaAHs3
BJP leaders, Union ministers pay respects to Ananth Kumar
BJP president Amit Shah, Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nirmala Sitharaman, Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal and veteran party leader LK Advani paid their last respects to the departed leader.
#Bengaluru: BJP President Amit Shah, Senior BJP leader LK Advani and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pay tribute to Union Minister Ananth Kumar. pic.twitter.com/x4mp5Okdgp
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid tributes to late Union minister Ananth Kumar ( ANI )
1:54 pm IST
Ananth Kumar accorded state funeral
Union minister Ananth Kumar wasaccorded state honours in Bengaluru.
Union Minister Ananth Kumar accorded state honours in Bengaluru; BJP President Amit Shah, Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nirmala Sitharaman, Rajnath Singh and Piyush Goyal present pic.twitter.com/SuDfPcSnGo
Lesser known fact: Vice-president Naidu shared a good bond with Ananth Kumar
Vice-president Naidu had worked closely with Kumar during his stint as member of Rajya Sabha from Karnataka and they, on several occasions, have spoken about the cordial relationship.
The vice president described Kumar as a colleague from students’ movements to Parliament.
12:30 pm IST
Two-minute silence observed by special cabinet meeting, chaired by PM
The special cabinet meeting chaired by Prime minister Narendra Modi observed a two-minute silence in the memory of Kumar.
12:15 pm IST
Union cabinet condoles demise of Ananth Kumar
The Union cabinet condoled the demise of union minister Ananth Kumar, saying under his “stewardship” the BJP expanded in Karnataka and eventually formed a government of its own.
11:30 am IST
Vice-president Naidu pays tributes to Ananth Kumar
Vice-president Venkaiah Naidu paid tributes to the departed leader, Ananth Kumar in Bangalore. “He was an able administrator and a great son of our soil. I am in deep pain to have lost a longtime colleague. May his family get strength at this time of grief and pray for his soul rest in peace,” said Naidu.
Paying tributes to the departed leader Shri Ananth Kumar in Bangalore, today. He was an able administrator and a great son of our soil. I am in deep pain to have lost a longtime colleague. May his family get strength at this time of grief and pray for his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/klev99zK9k
Several BJP leaders including Union Minister Sadananada Gowda, R Ashoka, K S Eshwarappa, Anurag Thakur, Pralhad Joshi, and hundreds of party workers paid their last respects to the departed leader at the party office. State party president B S Yeddyurappa and party’s general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Muralidhar Rao were present at the state BJP office.
10 am IST
Ananth Kumar’s mortal remains will be taken to the National College grounds by 11 a.m
Ananth Kumar’s mortal remains will be taken to the National College grounds at Basavangudi in the city’s southern suburb by 11 a.m
9:45 am IST
Leaders, supporters bid final goodbye to Ananth Kumar
A stream of leaders and supporters paid their last respects to Ananth Kumar.
9:30 am IST
Ananth Kumar’s mortal remains brought to BJP’s state unit office in Bengaluru
The mortal remains of Ananth Kumar were brought to Jagannath Bhavan, BJP’s state unit office in Bengaluru’s northwest region tributes by state leaders and cadres.
The cortege carrying the glass casket was draped in the national flag.
It was escorted by the city police on the 10km ride, clearing traffic during the peak hour, as the procession was already running behind schedule.