Newly Elected BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Gasti Dies Of Covid-19 In Bengaluru

Gasti was elected to the Rajya Sabha in the elections held earlier in June.

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Bengaluru: Bharatiya Janata Party (Karnataka) leader and Member of Parliament's Rajya Sabha Ashok Gasti passed away in Bengaluru after contracting the Covid-19 on Thursday, reports have claimed.  Ashok Gasti was admitted to a hospital in the capital city on September 2 after he tested positive for coronavirus. However, the hospital did not confirm the report of his death until late night. As per a report by ANI, he passed away at 10:31 pm. A lot of confusion still prevails around the timing of his death. Gasti was elected to the Rajya Sabha in the elections held earlier in June. He had taken oath as a Rajya Sabha MP on July 22, 2020. He was the general secretary of the BJP's OBC Cell. He was the chairperson of the State Backward Class Development Corporation. "Saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Ashok Gasti, Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka. My condolences to the bereaved family," Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla condoled his demise.

Saddened to hear about the untimely demise of Shri Ashok Gasti ji, Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka. My condolences to the bereaved family. Om Shanti!

— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) September 17, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief on his demise.

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

Gasti was an active member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He belonged to the Savita Samaj. He also served as party in charge for the Bellary district, Koppal district and Raichur district. Coronavirus situation in Bengaluru remains grim. With the city seeing a spike in active cases and strapped for additional beds, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued final show-cause notice to as many as 36 private hospitals in the city for not dedicating 50 per cent of beds to government assigned patients.

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