New Delhi: On the first death anniversary of Ram Vilas Paswan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has penned an emotional note for his former cabinet colleague and a veteran Dalit leader from Bihar. Sharing the letter on social microblogging site, Chirag Paswan, Ram Vilas Paswan's son, thanked the Prime Minister for his affection towards the late leader.
"Sir, you have honored the work done by him for the society by putting the summary of the whole life of my father in your own words and have shown your affection towards him," tweeted the MP from Jamui.
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In his letter, Modi said it is an emotional day for him. "I miss him (Ram Vilas Paswan) as a friend. I also sense the loss that Indian politics has suffered because of his death,” said Modi. The Prime Minister further praised the former leader as a champion of the poor and Dalits.
"Those looking to serve the nation via the political route must take lessons from the life of Ram Vilas Paswan. Even after reaching the top, he was always available and cordial with his fellow party workers. He believed in dialogue and cordiality. This is the reason he had such good relations with political leaders across the board," he added.
Ram Vilas Paswan, the founder of the Lok Janshakti Party passed away on October 8, 2020. Chirag Paswan is observing the first death anniversary of his father on September 12.
Chirag Paswan has invited top national leaders, including PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, for the Patna event, according to NDTV report.
The event assumes significance at a time when Chirag Paswan is involved in a bitter dispute with his uncle and Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras over claims of legacy issues. The attendance of leaders will be keenly watched amid Chirag Paswan's Bihar tour known as "Aashirvaad Yatra" to rally support for his LJP faction.