Leaders hail Ananth Kumar's life, contribution to DK

MANGALURU: The demise of union minister for chemicals and fertilisers

H N Ananth Kumar

saw politicians and leading citizens of

Dakshina Kannada

district express their condolences. District minister U T Khader said Ananth Kumar had offered suggestions and advise on differing issues and occasions even when he was minister for health. A towering leader among politicians in the state, his demise has created a void in the Indian polity, Khader noted.


Dakshina Kannada MP

Nalin Kumar Kateel

termed the loss of Ananth Kumar was a major loss not just for BJP but also India. "As a minister, Ananth Kumar always offered a lot to Dakshina Kannada district in terms of development project. When MCF, Karnataka’s only fertiliser plant was on the verge of closure due to non-availability of fuel, it was Ananth Kumar who stepped in to allow use of naptha till such time LNG was made available to the company," he said.

Noting that the minister was like a teacher to the BJP leadership, Nalin recalled that it was during Ananth Kumar’s tenure as civil aviation minister that Mangaluru airport attained international airport status. He also ensured that hurdles in setting up plastic park in the district was resolved and it was put on fast track, the MP said. Politically, he likened Ananth Kumar-B S Yeddyurappa duo in Karnataka to

Lal Krishna Advani-Atal Bihari Vajpayee

duo at the centre.

Susheel Noronha, district spokesperson of Janata Dal (Secular) condoling the death of Ananth Kumar said the minister was an able parliamentarian, who contributed immensely for the growth and development of Karnataka. B A Nazeer, president, The Canara Plastic Manufacturers and Traders Association said the minister was an able administrator and an industries friendly person. He was always accessible and listening to problems faced by the small scale industries.