NEW DELHI : Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who recently underwent heart surgery at Delhi’s Fortis hospital, passed away on Thursday evening. Paswan (74), who had been in active politics for more than five decades and is one of the country’s most noted Dalit leaders, has been hospitalised for the last few weeks.

Miss you papa, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan tweeted while informing about his the leader’s demise. Chirag had last week tweeted: “For the last many days dad is getting treated in a hospital.
Due to some sudden developments on Saturday evening, an operation of his heart had to be conducted in the late night. If the need arises, then possibly after a few weeks another operation might be conducted. Thanks to all for standing by me and my family in this hour of struggle.”
He, however, did not reveal then what the illness was. Some media reports have stated he is suffering from multiple health issues, including per-existing heart conditions. He had undergone heart related procedures earlier. “I am happy that my son Chirag is with me at this time and is doing all possible service. Along with taking care of me, he us also fulfilling his responsibilities towards the party,” he wrote on Twitter.
Along with news of his personal health, Paswan also backed his son to take the call on LJP’s alliances for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. “I stand firmly with every decision of his. I am confident that with his youthful thinking, Chirag will take the party and Bihar to new heights,” Paswan said.
“Papa… Now you are not in this world but I know you are always with me wherever you are. Miss you Papa,” read his post, in which he shared a throwback photograph with his father.
The eight-time Lok Sabha member started his political career as member of Samyukta Socialist Party. He was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1969. He then joined Lok Dal. During the mergency, Paswan was put behind the bars. He entered the Lok Sabha for the first time in 1977 as a Janata Party member from Hajipur constituency. He was elected to the Lower House from Hajipur seven times sinc then.
Ram Vilas Paswan was born on on July 5, 1946 to a Dalit family in Khagaria district of Bihar. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Arts degrees. He was 74. In 1960s, the LJP founder married Rajkumari Devi. The couple, however, separated in 1981. He has two daughters from first wife. In 1983, Paswan married Reena Sharma. Chirag born out of the second marriage.

Twitter was flooded with tributes for the departed leader. Among the first to tweet was President Ram Nath Kovind, Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted his condolences. “I am saddened beyond words. There is a void in our nation that will perhaps never be filled. Shri Ram Vilas Paswan Ji’s demise is a personal loss. I have lost a friend, valued colleague and someone who was extremely passionate to ensure every poor person leads a life of dignity,” his post read.
Known as one of the great survivors in Indian politics, Ram Vilas Paswan has been a minister in almost all the governments formed at the Centre since 1989.
(With Agency Inputs ).