Haji Hussain Ansari died on Saturday in a hospital in Ranchi.
Ranchi:
Haji Hussain Ansari, Minister of Social Affairs for the Jharkhand minority, died in a hospital in Ranchi on Saturday, official sources said.
He was 73 years old.
Mr Ansari, a senior JMM official, was admitted to Medanta hospital about two weeks ago after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
A spokesperson for Medanta Hospital said Ansari tested negative for COVID-19 on Friday, which meant he had recovered.
“Therefore, he did not die from COVID-19. He died tonight from cardiac arrest,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Ansari’s family said he recently had heart surgery.
Health Minister Banna Gupta also said Ansari’s death did not occur due to COVID-19.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said he was playing a leading role in the Jharkhand movement.
“He was a mass leader with simple meaning and conviction. May God give peace to the soul of Haji saheb and give the family the strength to endure the hour of sorrow,” he tweeted in hindi.
Mr. Ansari has served four times as a member of the assembly segment from Madhupur to Deoghar.
Union Minister Arjun Munda also expressed his condolences for Ansari’s disappearance and said he was very straightforward in nature.
Former Chief Minister Raghuvar Das also expressed his sincere condolences on the death of Mr Ansari and prayed for his peace of soul.
In March, Mr Ansari and his son were quarantined at their home after returning from the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in Nizamuddin in Delhi.
