Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami, MK Stalin condole Union Minister Anil Dave's death

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Opposition Leader MK Stalin on Thursdat condoled the death of Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave.

The BJP's state unit also condoled Dave's death, and recalled his efforts in ensuring the conduct of jallikattu, the bull-taming sport which was earlier banned by the Supreme Court, in the state.

Palaniswami expressed grief over the death of Dave, who died today in a Delhi hospital.

He said Dave was a Rajya Sabha member since 2009 and that he had "performed efficiently in his Minister post."

"I express my heartfelt condolences and sympathies with the family of Anil Madhav Dave and pray for his soul to reach the holy abode," Palaniswami said in a statement.

Stalin hailed Dave's 'concern' for the country's natural resources.

"The demise of the Minister (Dave), who had shown much concern for the country's natural resources, is a great loss to the nation," he said in a statement.

Union Minister of State for Shipping and Roadways, Pon Radhakrishnan, also condoled the death of Dave, saying "his loss is an irreparable damage."

The Minister said he had met the late Dave thrice to discuss the jallikattu issue earlier and that the latter had extended his "unflinching support" for the conduct of the bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu.

BJP State unit President Tamilisai Sounderrajan also recalled Dave's support for conducting jallikattu.

"He had taken all administrative efforts to bring (back) jallikattu," she said.

Sixty-year-old Dave had complained of uneasiness at his home this morning and was rushed to AIIMS where he passed away.