A BJP Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, Ashok Gasti, died on Thursday due to COVID-19. Hospital where he was undergoing treatment confirmed on Thursday that he died at 10:31 pm, hours after confusion caused by condolence tweets posted by top politicians.

The 55-year-old was critically ill and was admitted to Manipal Hospital.

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 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Mr Gasti was from Raichur in north Karnataka and was previously a booth-level worker.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Mr. Gasti a "dedicated karyakarta" and condoled his death on Twitter.

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2020

After his unopposed election in June this year, Mr. Gasti had not attended Parliament due to the pandemic. He was a first-time Rajya Sabha member.

The leaders had tweeted condolence messages earlier in the day as well before his death was confirmed by the hospital, resulting in confusion. But soon leaders deleted their condolence tweets and tweeted again later, only after MP’s death was confirmed from the hospital itself.

If You Like This Story, Support NYOOOZ

NYOOOZ SUPPORTER

₹ 10 - ₹ 1000

NYOOOZ FRIEND

₹ 2000 - ₹ 5000

Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.