Union Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde died in capital New Delhi this morning. He was 64. He suffered a cardiac arrest following a road accident while on his way to the airport.
His car was hit by another vehicle at Prithviraj road-Tughlak road roundabout in the capital. Immediately after the accident Munde was brought to All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Spokesperson of AIIMs told reporters later that despite resucitative measures, Munde could not be revived and was declared dead at 7:20 AM today.
After postmortem Munde's body will be kept at the BJP headquarters in the city at 12.30 PM where leaders and party workers will pay their respects to the departed soul. His body will be flown to his native village in Marathwada region this evening and his cremation will take place there tomorrow.
President, Vice President and Prime Minister have expressed grief over the sudden demise of Munde.
In his message, President Pranab Mukherjee said, Munde's passing away is a huge loss for the people of Maharashtra and country at large. In his death, people have lost a veteran leader who always worked for the common man.
Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari said,that Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Munde as a true mass leader, who rose to great heights and tirelessly served people.
Expressing grief over the death of Munde, Congress President Sonia Gandhi conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
National flag will be flown at half mast in Delhi and capitals of the states and Union Territories today as a mark of respect to the departed leader. A statement issued by Home Ministry said that the national flag will also be flown at half mast tomorrow at the place of cremation.
AIR correspondent reports, Union Cabinet is meeting this evening to condole death of Gopinath Munde.
Several Union Ministers and leaders from different political parties have mourned the death of Union Minister Gopinath Munde. Home Minister and BJP President Rajnath Singh said, Munde's death is an irreparable loss to the party and he has left a big void in Mahrashtra's political and social life.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the incident is extremely shocking. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said the nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great heights. Railways Minister Sadananda Gowda termed Munde as a dedicated and a distinguished public servant saying his contribution in social and public life would always be remembered.
Union Ministers including Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ananth Kuamr Dr. Harshvardhan, Ramvilas Paswan, Maneka Gandhi, Nirmala Sitharaman and Sarbananda Sonowal have also expressed grief over the sudden demise of Munde. JD(U) President Sharad Yadav, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut and Chief Ministers of different states have also expressed grief.
The most prominent leader of the BJP in Maharashtra, Gopinath Munde had joined the Union Cabinet for the first time a week back. He was all set to spearhead the party's campaign in the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.
Munde was born on 12th December, 1949 in a poor family in Nathra village in Beed district of the backward Marathwada region. Brother-in-law of slain BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, Munde was brought into politics by the late BJP leader Vasantrao Bhagwat, who also groomed Mahajan.
Munde was a five-time MLA. He was the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly during 1992-1995. He donned various roles in Maharashtra including that of Deputy Chief Minister from 1995-1999. He was the Deputy Leader of Opposition in the 15th Lok Sabha. He also served as General Secretary of the party at the national level.He is survived by wife and three daughters.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has detained Indica car driver who had hit the Union Minister Gopinath Munde's vehicle. Police has also seized the car and further investigation is on.
