Congress leader H. Vasanthkumar, who was an MP from Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, has died due to covid-19 on Friday at a hospital in Chennai, the party officials informed. He was 70.
The veteran leader was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals on August 10 after testing positive for the coronavirus infection. Earlier in the day, Dr R K Venkatasalam Director (Medical Services) of Apollo Hospitals, in a statement had said: “He is being treated currently in the critical care unit by a team of doctors for severe COVID pneumonia and his clinical condition continued to remain critical.”
Besides his career as a politician, Vasanthakumar was also quite active as a businessman. He was the founder and chairman of the largest retail home appliance, Vasanth & Co, in Chennai.
H Vasanthakumar, who was a first-time MP from Tamil Nadu, had also been elected MLA twice in the past from the Nanguneri assembly constituency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to the leader on Twitter.
“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,” PM Modi tweeted.
“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,” said Rahul Gandhi.
Vasanthakumar was the younger brother of veteran Congress leader Kumari Anandan whose daughter, Tamilisai Soundararajan, is the current Telangana Governor.
