Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ananth Kumar, who died on Monday in Bengaluru, will be cremated this afternoon with full state honours. “A state funeral with 21-gun salute and a guard of honour will be accorded to the mortal remains of Ananth Kumar,” an official said.
The senior leader had been battling with lung cancer for several months. He was 59. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Ananth Kumar late last evening in Bengaluru. He tweeted, “In Bengaluru, I paid tributes to Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. We’ve lost an outstanding public servant, who had a positive impact on the lives of many. Also spent time with his family members.”
The Union Cabinet met today under the chairmanship of PM Modi and observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed leader.