Congress leader Gurudas Kamat passed away early Wednesday morning. (File Photo)
Gurudas Kamat, former Union minister and senior Congress leader, passed away Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 63. The Congress leader was in New Delhi to meet with Congress leader Ahmed Patel. He was to return to Mumbai Wednesday evening for Eid celebrations. Kamat was rushed to Primus hospital, Chanakyapuri where he passed away. Kamat’s family has left for the national capital this morning and his body will be brought back to Mumbai this afternoon. It will then be taken to his Chembur residence. Click here to read this in Marathi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamat ji, is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudas ji helped build the Congress party in Mumbai & was greatly respected & admired by all. My condolences to his family in their time of grief. May his soul rest in peace.” In a statement issued, the Congress party said: “We are saddened to hear about the passing of Shri Gurudas Kamat. He will be missed dearly by his family, friends and the Congress Party.”
Also Read | Who was Gurudas Kamat?
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his condolence message, described Gurudas Kamat as a leader who had displayed great organisational managing skills, strong connect and commitment to ordinary people specially in Mumbai. “He was known for his blunt speak on matters related to public cause. His demise is a huge loss,” Fadnavis said.
Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil expressed shock. “Kamat’s demise is a very big setback to party,” he said. BJP (MP) Kirit Somaiya said, “Although we always were rivals contesting against each other in Mumbai West, we maintained very cordial relations. It was always pleasure to talk to Kamat.”
Shocked and pained at the sudden and untimely demise of Shri Gurudas Kamat. A colleague in the Government and the party for many years, his passing away at such young age is tragic.
— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) August 22, 2018
Extremely shocked and saddened to know about the sudden death of our senior leader Sri Gurudas Kamathji. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Its certainly a big loss to Congress party which can’t be compensated by anyone.
God bless the departed soul.— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) August 22, 2018
An Advocate by profession, Kamat began his career as a student activist in 1972. He joined the National Students Union of India while at Podar College. In 1976, he was appointed president of the Mumbai NSUI. Gurudas Kamat was a Member of the Parliament for the Mumbai North West constituency in 2009 and Mumbai North East constituency in 1984, 1991, 1998 and 2004.
Gurudas Kamat death: UPA chairperson and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi at Primus Hospital this morning.
He served in the UPA 2 government as MoS Ministry of Home Affairs and MoS Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
In 2011, he resigned from the council of ministers following a cabinet reshuffle where he was allotted MoS Drinking Water and Sanitation, reportedly upset that he was not given a Cabinet rank despite being a senior party leader from Maharashtra. Kamat, however, had said that there was “no question of any disappointment over the portfolio and the reasons were personal”.
In 2016, Gurudas Kamat announced his resignation from the party saying he was retiring from politics. Sources, however, said that he being sidelined in the Mumbai Congress unit was the trigger.
“For several months now, I have felt I need to take a backseat to enable others to get the opportunity. I met Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) about 10 days ago and expressed a desire to resign. Subsequently, I sent letters to both her and Rahulji that I would like to exit. Since there was no reply, I have formally informed that I would like to retire from politics. I would like to thank each one of you for all the cooperation I received and wish the best to the party leadership and each one of you,” read Kamat’s text message that was circulated among party workers then. He later withdrew his resignation and served