New Delhi, May 18 (PTI): Environment Minister Anil Dave, a long-time Sangh member best known for crafting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s strategy to unseat Congress stalwart Digvijay Singh as Madhya Pradesh chief minister in 2003, died here today. He was 60.
Dave, who has been a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2009, complained of uneasiness at his home on Thursday morning and was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where he passed away, according to official sources.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke the news of Dave’s death in a tweet, saying he had been with the minister until late on Wednesday evening discussing policy issues.
”Absolutely shocked by the sudden demise of my friend & a very respected colleague, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave ji. My condolences,” he said in the tweet. “The demise is a personal loss.”
A senior doctor at AIIMS said: “The minister (Dave) was brought to AIIMS, New Delhi at around 8.50am. He was brought in a state of cardiac arrest. All measures were taken to resuscitate him.
”He was declared dead at around 9.45am,” he said.
Sources said the body would be taken to Indore, where the minister's brother lives.
Dave was a bachelor.
Union ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Narendra Singh Tomar, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Thanwar Chand Gehlot, Harsh Vardhan and senior BJP leaders went to AIIMS before the body was shifted to his residence.
Dave was sworn in as minister with independent charge of environment, forest and climate change last year.
He had a long-time association with the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh and shot into prominence in 2003 when he crafted the election strategy that led to the defeat of Chief Minister Digvijay Singh.
President Pranab Mukherjee expressed shock at the sudden demise of the minister.
Modi said Dave would be remembered as a devoted public servant who was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he was saddened to learn of the demise of the minister.
“Dave was very active and sensitive to issues pertaining to environment. His dedication to work was highly appreciated. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the members of Anil Dave's family,” Singh said.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also expressed grief over the demise of Dave.
BJP president Amit Shah said Dave's contribution to Indian politics and environment conservation was incredible.
”Shocked and deeply pained by the sudden demise of our senior leader Anil Madhav Dave ji. Deepest condolences to his family & friends….His organisational skills and connect with grassroots karyakartas (workers) was unparalleled. He always met me with a warm smile on his face,” he said in a series of tweets.
Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi also paid his tribute to the minister.
”V.sad to learn of the sudden demise of Union Min Anil Madhav Daveji. He worked tirelessly for Narmada conservation,” he tweeted.
