Union Minister and senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar passed away early Monday morning. He was reportedly suffering from cancer and had returned to Bengaluru after undergoing treatment in New York. He was 59.

He passed away on Monday at a private hospital in Bengaluru. He is survived by wife Tejaswini and two daughters. The funeral will take place on Tuesday morning at his residence and then will be shifted to National College in Bengaluru, and finally the crematorium in Chamarajpet. A three-day period of mourning has been declared by the state government, and schools, colleges and government offices will remain closed on Monday.

Since 1996, the minister has represented South Bengaluru constituency in the Lok Sabha making him one of the few ministers to have served under both Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi. He is also a six-term MP and one of the senior BJP leaders from Karnataka.

Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away at the age of 59, in Bengaluru last night. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/I0TXpq6l7E

— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2018

Ananth Kumar also served as as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs since July 2016 as well as the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers since May 2014.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Ananth Kumar an “able administrator” and a “great asset to the BJP organisation.”  “He worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents,” he tweeted.

Extremely saddened by the passing away of my valued colleague and friend, Shri Ananth Kumar Ji. He was a remarkable leader, who entered public life at a young age and went on to serve society with utmost diligence and compassion. He will always be remembered for his good work.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 12, 2018

Born on July 22, 1959, Ananth Kumar started his political career as a member of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad. He went on to become its National Secretary in 1985, and eventually joined the BJP party. In 1995, he was appointed the National Secretary of the BJP. He was heralded as one of the most influential leaders in the state.

Ananth Kumar was also known for being the first person to address the United Nations in Kannada.

'A friend beyond politics'

Tributes also poured in from President Ram Nath Kovind and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy condoling the death of Ananth Kumar. Kumaraswamy described Ananth Kumar as a 'friend beyond politics.'

Sad to hear of the passing of Union minister and veteran parliamentarian Shri H.N. Ananth Kumar. This is a tragic loss to public life in our country and particularly for the people of Karnataka. My condolences to his family, colleagues and countless associates #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 12, 2018

Deeply pained to hear about the untimely death of Uni.Minister and a dear friend #Ananthakumar.
A value-based politician, a pro people leader, who made a significant contribution to the country as an MP &Uni.Minister. I have lost a great friend.
May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/FBRicd64M2

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 12, 2018

Deep sense of grief on hearing that Shri @AnanthKumar_BJP is no more with us. Served @BJP4India @BJP4Karnataka all along. Bengaluru was in his head and heart, always. May God give his family the strength to bear with this loss.

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 12, 2018

It is hard to imagine that Shri @AnanthKumar_BJP is no more. He was a very friendly, lively and hard working politician who worked assiduously for his Parliamentary constituency & development of Karnataka. In his demise, the BJP has lost a Jewel of the South. May his soul RIP! pic.twitter.com/z4f5fx1e1U

— GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) November 12, 2018

It’s so very painful to know about @AnanthKumar_BJP ji’s sad,untimely demise!A live wire politician,he was a true soldier of org.,whom I never saw disappointed.We had worked together in the @ABVPVoice as National Secretaries.His rootedness made him six time MP from Bengaluru 1/1 pic.twitter.com/SprlJeOQ3m

— Vinay Sahasrabuddhe (@vinay1011) November 12, 2018