India’s food minister, Paswan dies after weeks in hospital.

Veteran Indian Politician, Ram Vilas Paswan, a federal minister and an ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition, died on Thursday after weeks in hospital. His son, Chirag Paswan revealed this in a tweet.

Paswan, India’s Minister for Consumer affairs, food and public distribution was admitted to a city hospital on September 11 and underwent heart surgery on October 4th. At this time, he was 74 years old.

In his role as food minister, Paswan oversaw the world’s biggest food welfare programs. Under its multi billion dollar food aid, the government gives ultra cheap rice and wheat to India’s million of poor people.

Modi said in a tweet,” I am saddened beyond words, this is a void that will perhaps never be filled”.

In his long political career, Paswan worked with many prime ministers and served as India’s mines, steel & telecommunication information minister amongst other portfolios.