‘I miss him,’ says PM on Ram Vilas Paswan’s death anniversary; JD-U skips function

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 12

The function in Patna marking the first death anniversary of LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan appeared to have turned into a full-blown political event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi penning a heartfelt letter to the departed leader’s son Chirag Paswan and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar issuing a press release informing that he condoled the powerful Dalit leader from the state.

At the event in Patna, which was organised by Chirag, who had invited all top leaders from across the political spectrum, the attendance at the function indicated divide, as none from Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) attended it, while from the BJP Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi and Speaker of Bihar Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha among others participated.

Writes letter to Chirag

It is an emotional day… I miss him (Ram Vilas Paswan) as a friend. I also sense the loss that Indian politics has suffered because of his death. — Narendra Modi, PM

Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan also visited Paswan’s residence and paid his homage to the late leader. Even Chirag’s estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras attended the prayer meeting.

From among the other NDA allies, HAM party chief Jitan Ram Manjhi also visited Paswan’s Sri Krishnapuri residence in the state capital. Congress’ state unit president Madan Mohan Jha also attended the prayer meeting.

Posting the PM’s letter on Twitter, Chirag thanked Modi for his affection towards the late leader and said, “Sir, you have honoured the work done by him for society by putting the summary of the whole life of my father in your own words and have shown your affection towards him.”

Paswan had died on October 8 last year and Chirag chose to go by a traditional calendar to hold the first death anniversary of his father on September 12.

The PM, in his letter, said, “It is an emotional day… I miss him (Ram Vilas Paswan) as a friend. I also sense the loss that Indian politics has suffered because of his death.” He also hailed the departed leader as a champion of the poor and Dalits.

One-line message from CM’s office

• The CM’s office issued a press release of one-and-a-half sentence, saying, “Nitish Kumar has offered his condolences to former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.”
• From the BJP, MoS for Home Nityanand Rai, Deputy CM Renu Devi and Speaker of Bihar Assembly Vijay Kumar Sinha among others participated
• From other NDA allies, HAM party chief Jitan Ram Manjhi also visited Paswan’s residence
• Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan and Chirag’s estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras also attended the prayer meeting