Union minister Gopinath Munde dies in car accident
03 Jun 2014
Union minister for rural development Gopinath Munde died at 8 am today after he met with a road accident in the national capital. The accident occurred near Moti Bagh area in New Delhi at 6.30 am when a vehicle rammed into his car.
 | |
| Union minister for rural development Gopinath Munde (12 December 1949 - 3 June 2014) |
Munde was on his way to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, where he was scheduled to take a flight to Mumbai and from there to Aurangabad.
Munde suffered cardiac arrest during treatment at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) trauma centre. According to reports, it was a head-on collision with another car, in which he suffered profuse bleeding.
The driver of the Indica car, which hit the minister's car has been taken into custody. Munde was travelling in his SX4 vehicle.
He was rushed to AIIMS by his driver and assistant but could not be revived, according to reports from hospital. Later, he was admitted at AIIMS Trauma Centre, where he died, they said.
According to reports, though there were no external injuries, Munde suffered internal injuries, which led to his death. He had suffered multiple injuries, including injuries to the chest and head and was on ventilator.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over his cabinet member's death. "Condolences to Munde ji's family. We stand by them in this hour of grief," tweeted Narendra Modi.
"Extremely saddened & shocked by the demise of my friend & colleague Gopinath Munde ji. His demise is a major loss for the Nation & the Government (sic)," Modi added later.
Munde was a member of the 15th Lok Sabha (2009–2014), representing the Beed constituency.
Gopinath Pandurang Munde was born in 12 December 1949 and was the OBC [Other Backward Class] face of the BJP in Maharashtra politics.
Munde's body will be taken to 11 Ashoka road for BJP leaders to pay their respects. His body will be later flown to Latur airport in Maharahstra, from where he will be taken to his village in Beed district for his last rites.
Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders are expected to attend the last rites to pay their tributes.
