New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) The passing of Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shriprakash Jaiswal at the age of 81 has plunged the Congress party and the political community into profound sorrow. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed his heartfelt condolences on Saturday, stating that the news of Jaiswal’s death was deeply distressing.

Using his social media platform X, LoP Gandhi remarked, “The announcement of former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Shriprakash Jaiswal ji's passing is profoundly saddening. His commitment to public service and the party remains a shining example. His loss is an irreparable void for the Congress party. I extend my condolences to his grieving family, supporters, and well-wishers during this challenging time.”

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also conveyed her sorrow via a post on social media.

She stated, “The news of the demise of senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shriprakash Jaiswal ji is indeed sad. He was a leader devoted to public service and the Congress ideology. His departure leaves an undeniable gap in the Congress party. May his soul find peace. My sincerest condolences to his family.”

The veteran leader’s health took a sudden turn for the worse at his residence in the Civil Lines area of the city. Despite being rushed to a nearby private hospital, his condition continued to deteriorate, leading to his transfer to the cardiology unit of Regency Hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 6:45 pm.

Born on September 25, 1944, in Kanpur, Jaiswal maintained a strong connection with his hometown throughout his extensive political journey spanning four decades.

He began his public service as the Mayor of Kanpur in 1989 and subsequently entered national politics, serving as the Lok Sabha MP for the Kanpur constituency for three consecutive terms — in 1999, 2004, and 2009 — on a Congress ticket.

During the UPA-2 government under Dr. Manmohan Singh, Jaiswal played a significant role as the Minister for Coal and also briefly served as the Minister of State for Home Affairs, overseeing critical internal security and law enforcement matters.

A commerce graduate from BNSD Inter College, Kanpur, Jaiswal married Maya Rani on April 28, 1967. He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, and two grandsons.

Recognized for his gentle demeanor and approachability, Jaiswal was regarded as one of the most prominent OBC representatives of the Congress in Uttar Pradesh.

Despite setbacks in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he remained actively involved in party activities and social work. His demise is a significant loss for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh's industrial hub, especially in Kanpur, where he enjoyed considerable goodwill across party lines. Political leaders from various factions have expressed their condolences.

Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai described Jaiswal as “a gentleman politician and dedicated worker who always prioritized Kanpur’s development.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and local BJP leaders have also offered their condolences. Earlier this year, there was speculation about Jaiswal potentially joining the BJP after his younger brother Pramod Jaiswal joined the party.

Nevertheless, Shriprakash Jaiswal remained loyal to the Congress until the end. His remains will be displayed at the Congress office in Colonelganj on Saturday morning for party members and the public to pay their respects before his final rites in the afternoon.