The President, Vice President and Prime Minister have expressed grief over the demise of Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Gasti.<br />''<br />''In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind said, coming from a humble background, Ashok Gasti devoted his life to people's cause and served the society with utmost diligence and empathy.<br />''<br />''Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said, he was known for his simplicity and commitment for the upliftment of the downtrodden.<br />''<br />''Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Ashok Gasti was a dedicated Karyakarta who worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka. Mr Modi said, he was passionate about empowering the poor and marginalised sections of society.<br />''<br />''He was diagnosed with severe Covid-19 pneumonia and critically ill with multi-organ failure when admitted to the hospital in Bengaluru on September 2nd.  Ashok Gasti was the first time MP who had taken oath as member of Rajya Sabha on July 22nd. A lawyer by profession and former General Secretary of BJP, he had also served as Chairperson of the Backward Class Development Corporation in Karnataka.<br />''<br />''Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha today observed two-minute silence on the passing away of the sitting member of the Upper House Ashok Gasti. Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu said he was a dedicated social worker and able Parliamentarian. Rajya Sabha also paid homage to former member of Rajya Sabha Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan. Afterwards, the house was adjourned for 30 minutes.<br />