After TV debate, Congress leader Rajiv Tyagi dies of heart attack

Known for his fiery and spirited articulation on TV debates, Tyagi was a regular in TV debates.

According to reports, he suffered the attack soon after participating in the TV debate from his residence in Sector 16, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad.

Dr Sunil Dagar, COO of Yashoda Hospital in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, where he was taken, said Tyagi complained to family members between 6 pm and 6.15 pm that he was feeling uneasy and discomfort in chest. “They told us it happened while he was sitting in a live TV debate. Around 6.30 pm, he was brought to the hospital. We performed CPR and ALS as per protocol, but he was declared brought dead since he did not show signs of breathing and regular pulse,” he said.

We are deeply saddened by the sudden demise of Shri Rajiv Tyagi. A staunch Congressman & a true patriot. Our thoughts and prayers are with his families & friends in this time of grief. pic.twitter.com/yHKSlzPwbX

— Congress (@INCIndia) August 12, 2020

Dr Dagar also said, “The patient did not have any chronic condition as per our records. He and his family have been visiting our hospital for the last 10 years. There were problems with cholesterol level recently but they were of minor nature.”

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others in the party, spoke with his wife.

Rahul tweeted, “The Congress today lost a babbar sher (lion). Rajiv Tyagi’s love for the Congress and inspiration for struggle will always be remembered…”

कॉंग्रेस ने आज अपना एक बब्बर शेर खो दिया।

राजीव त्यागी के कॉंग्रेस प्रेम व संघर्ष की प्रेरणा हमेशा याद रहेंगे।

उन्हें मेरी भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि व परिवार को संवेदनाएँ। pic.twitter.com/9C0SNuFFYK

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 12, 2020

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad tweeted, “Deeply saddened to hear the shocking news of untimely death of young congress leader & spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi. My heartfelt condolences to the family…” BJP spokesman Sambit Patra, who was on the show with Tyagi, tweeted: “I cannot believe my friend Rajiv Tyagi is no more. We were together in a TV debate at 5 pm. Life is so uncertain. I don’t have words to express (feelings)…”

Congress communications cell head Randeep Surjewala tweeted in Hindi: “How long will poisonous debates and poisonous spokespersons continue to murder (those with) restraint and simplicity? How long will such debates continue to boost TRPs? How long will the poison of Hindu-Muslim division continue to devour this country’s soul?”

Youth Congress president Srinivas B V tweeted, “During the debate, Rajiv Tyagi was called ‘Jaichand’. He was called ‘fake Hindu’, questions were raised on his faith…after that he suffered a heart attack…”