India's consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan passes way at 74

• Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan passed away at the age of 74 years.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I am saddened beyond words," expressing his remorse over the death of one of India's most notable Dalit leaders.
• He died at a hospital in Delhi where he had undergone heart surgery a few days ago.

Union minister and founder of the Lok Janshakti Party, Ram Vilas Paswan, died on Thursday. Paswan, 74 years old, passed away at a hospital in Delhi where he had undergone a heart surgery a few days ago.


Paswan had been in active politics for more than five decades and was one of the country's most noted Dalit leaders. His most recent position was as the country's Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his remorse. "I am saddened beyond words," he wrote.


Other political leaders including President Ram Nath Kovind, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed their condolences on social media.


Paswan's political career began as a member of the Samyukta Socialist Party (SSP), when he was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1969. Five years down the line, Paswan joined the Lok Dal in its early days and rose to become the general secretary.

It was only at the turn of the millennium that he though about forming his own party and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) was born with Paswan as its helm as president.

(with inputs from PTI)

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