Former minister Bandaru Dattatreya's 21-year-old son dies of heart attack
What's the story
In an unexpected incident, the only son of BJP leader and former union minister Bandaru Dattatreya died of a massive heart attack late at night yesterday. 21-year-old Bandaru Vaishnav was a third-year student at Mediciti Medical College in the outskirts of Hyderabad. He was rushed to hospital after he suddenly collapsed during dinner with family at their Ramnagar residence, but succumbed around 12:30am.
Cause
Vaishnav had no health problems or bad habits: Sources
Sources say Vaishnav was on a diet to lose weight. "Perhaps this could be the reason for his sudden heart attack. Otherwise, he does not have any other health problems nor does he have any bad habits," they told HT. Dattatreya, a heart patient himself, was told about his son's death only in the morning. ET reports he has been inconsolable.
Twitter Post
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pays homage
Anguished pained to learn about the untimely demise of Bandaru Vaishnav, S/o Shri. @Dattatreya ji. Pray to the almighty to give strength to the family in this hour of grief. Prayers for the departed soul. ॐ शांति।
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) May 23, 2018
Tribute
Last rites likely to be held today in Hyderabad
Vaishnav was actively involved in BJP's activities in Secunderabad, his father's parliamentary-constituency. Leaders cutting across party lines rushed to pay tributes, including Hyderabad Mayor B. Rammohan and state BJP chief K. Lakshman. Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu called up Dattatreya, while Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences. The last rites are expected to be held today in Hyderabad.
Information
Dattatreya was minister of state in the Modi government
Dattatreya has held several high-profile positions during his long career. He was the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labor and Employment in Narendra Modi's council of ministers, till he was dropped in September'17. He has a daughter, Vijayalakhsmi.