Yogi Adityanath mourns loss of father, says can't attend funeral due to COVID-19 work

Bisht's last rites will take place in Haridwar in Uttarakhand on April 21, Media Advisor to the chief minister Mrityunjay Kumar said

In a statement, the chief minister said, "I had the ardent wish to get a glimpse of him at the final moment. However, following a sense of duty towards the state's 23 crore people during the COVID-19 pandemic, I could not do so."

"For the success of the lockdown and the strategy to defeat the novel coronavirus pandemic, I will be unable to attend the last rites on April 21," Adityanath said

"I am deeply saddened by the demise of my respected father. He instilled in me the values of honesty, hardwork and selfless service for public welfare in childhood itself," he said.

Even as news of his father's demise reached Adityanath continued with a meeting with officials, whom he directed to ensure that the students of Uttar Pradesh who have returned from coaching hub Kota are quarantined at their homes.

"Honourable CM's father left for his heavenly abode at 10.44 am. Our deepest condolences," Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said in a statement

Governor Anandiben Patel offered her condolences to the departed soul and prayers for the family.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya, in a tweet, expressed grief at the demise and said that may God give strength to the family to bear the loss.

Almost all state ministers including Satish Mahana, Siddhartha Nath Singh, Suresh Rana, Satish Dwivedi, Rajendra Pratap Singh, Brijesh Pathak offered condolences to the bereaved family.

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav tweeted his condolence to the family.

State Congress President Ajay Kumar Lallu also expressed grief at the passing away of Anand Singh Bisht, who had been ailing for quite some time. 

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condoled the death of Adityanath's father.