Coronavirus pandemic | Congress MP H Vasanthakumar dies of COVID-19 in Chennai

Congress MP from Kanyakumari H Vasanthakumar died of the novel coronavirus disease at a Chennai hospital on August 28. The 70-year-old parliamentarian was taken to the Greams Road facility of the Apollo Hospitals after testing positive for COVID-19 on August 10 and was reportedly in a critical condition.

Vasanthakumar was a first time MP from Tamil Nadu and a two-time MLA. He was also a renowned businessman who founded the popular retail chain Vasanth & Co.

Mourning his demise, the Congress party said: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of H Vasanthakumar. A staunch Congressman, a true leader of the people and beloved MP. He will be sorely missed by all members of the Congress party and his followers.”

We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Shri H. Vasanthakumar. A staunch Congressman, true leader of the people & beloved MP.

He will be sorely missed by all members of the Congress party & his followers. Our prayers are with his family in this time of grief. pic.twitter.com/BU49MrbNXg

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— Congress (@INCIndia) August 28, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled his family and wrote: “Lok Sabha MP Shri H Vasanthakumar Ji’s strides in business and social service efforts were noteworthy. During my interactions with him, I always saw his passion towards Tamil Nadu’s progress. Condolences to his family and supporters.”

Saddened by the demise of Lok Sabha MP Shri H. Vasanthakumar Ji. His strides in business and social service efforts were noteworthy. During my interactions with him, I always saw his passion towards Tamil Nadu’s progress. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/SmuAK8ufAx

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 28, 2020

Former Congress party chief Rahul Gandhi remembered Kanyakumari MP H Vasanthakumar's commitment to the party ideology and expressed shock at his "untimely demise".

The news of Kanyakumari MP, Shri H Vasanthakumar’s untimely demise due to Covid-19 has come as a shock.

His commitment to the congress ideology of serving the people will remain in our hearts forever.

Heartfelt condolences to his friends and family members. pic.twitter.com/oqhrfQXEUD

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 28, 2020

Congress Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also took to Twitter to mourn the MP's demise. He wrote: "Deeply saddened at the untimely demise of a born fighter, resolute Congressman, MP, and Working President of TNCC -- Shri H Vasanthakumar. All of us, along with lakhs of his supporters, will always miss him deeply. Heartfelt condolences to family and well-wishers. RIP."

Deeply saddened at the untimely demise of a born fighter, resolute Congressman, M.P & Working President of TNCC - Sh. H. Vasanthakumar.

All of us, along with lakhs of his supporters, will always miss him deeply. Heartfelt condolences to family & well wishers. RIP. pic.twitter.com/TyCyzCRIgK

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) August 28, 2020

Vasanthakumar is the second Tamil Nadu lawmaker to die of COVID-19. Earlier, DMK MLA Palakadai Anbazhagan had died of the coronavirus disease.