BJP’s newly-elected Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, Ashok Gasti died of COVID19 infection on Thursday night at a private hospital in Bangalore.

He was 55.

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Ashok Gasti, who was Gasti was elected unopposed to the Upper House on June 12, was admitted to the Manipal Hospital after he tested COVID19 positive.

“Gasti passed away at 10.31 p.m. He was critically ill with multi-organ failure on a life support system in the intensive care unit,” Manipal Hospital director Manish Rai said in a statement.

Gasti, who took oath as a member of the Upper House on July 22 in the Parliament House, leaves behind his wife and a daughter.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah have deeply condoled the demise of Gasti.

“Rajya Sabha MP Shri Ashok Gasti was a dedicated Karyakarta who worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka. He was passionate about empowering the poor and marginalised sections of society,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

“Anguished by his passing away. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti,” he added.

Shah expressed his shock at the demise of the Rajya Sabha member.

“Shocked and pained on the untimely demise of Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader from Karnataka, Shri Ashok Gasti ji,” Shah tweeted.

“Over the years, he served the organization & nation in multiple roles. My deepest condolences are with his family in this hour of grief. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti,” he added.

Gasti, who was an advocate by profession, hailed from Raichur district in Karnataka, about 490 km away from Bengaluru.