Jaipur: Former Rajya Sabha MP and former minister in the Shiv Charan Mathur government, Ashk Ali Tank, passed away on Sunday evening. He had been battling serious illnesses. He will be buried at the Vidyadhar Nagar cemetery on Monday at 10 a.m.
The Congress party is mourning Tank’s death. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasara, Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Julie, former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot, and several other leaders have expressed condolences and described the death as a major loss for the Congress party. Gehlot described the death of Ashk Ali Tank as a “great loss for the Congress party.” Posting on the social media platform, he wrote, “The news of the passing of senior Congress leader, former minister, and former Rajya Sabha MP Ashk Ali Tank is very sad. He achieved many milestones in his long political career.” Tank was also the president of the NSUI and Youth Congress, and the chairman of the Minority Commission. He was very popular among the youth.
During his tenure, he toured extensively across the state, strengthening the organization. Very few people are able to undertake such tours. Whenever the party entrusted him with any responsibility, he discharged it well. His passing is a personal loss for me. Despite health issues, Ashk Ali Tank was an active participant in all party programs. I pray that Allah grants him a high place in heaven and gives his family the courage to bear this loss.
President of the NSUI and Youth Congress: Tank was the only leader in the Rajasthan Congress to have served as president of both the Youth Congress and NSUI front organizations.
Political career: Ashk Ali Tank began his political career with the NSUI. He served as president of the NSUI and later as president of the Youth Congress. In 1985, after being elected MLA for the first time from the Fatehpur assembly seat in Sikar, he served as a Minister of State in the Shiv Charan Mathur government. Tank also served as chairman of the State Minority Commission. He contested the Churu and Kishanpole assembly seats in Jaipur, but lost. He later served as a Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan during the UPA 2 government.
