Bengaluru: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Monday said Union minister Ananth Kumar's death was an irreparable loss to the nation.

RSS Dakshin MadhyaKshetra Sanghachalak V Niagara also lauded Kumar for his "wonderful" job as union chemicals and fertilisers minister by introducing neem coatedfertilisers, thus putting an end to shortage of manure.

"Ananth Kumar's death is an irreparable loss to the nation. It is indeed a big vacuum in politics as well as to the philanthropic services he rendered," he said in a statement here.

RSS Dakshin Kshetra Sahkaryavah N Thippeswamy recalled Kumar's role as an RSS Swayamsevak and his active participation in the fight against emergency.

RSS Karnataka unit leaders Ma Venkataramu Dagestan Pattanashetti also paid rich tributes to Kumar. 

Ananth Kumar died at a private hospital in Bengaluru following multi-organ failure. 59-year-old BJP leader was suffering from lung cancer. PM Modi along with President Ram Nath Kovind will reach Bengaluru tonight to pay their last respects. Last rites will be held at Chamarajapet crematorium at 1 PM, tomorrow.

* With inputs from PTI