Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bengaluru and paid his last respects to BJP leader Ananth Kumar at his Bengaluru residence. Kumar breathed his last at 2 AM in the city.

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and the Governor Vajubhai Vala welcomed Modi at the HAL airport in Bengaluru.

PM Modi landed in Bengaluru after addressing a rally at Chhattisgarh ahead of Assembly elections.

PM Modi arrived along with President Ram Nath Kovind at the HAL airport. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu is expected to arrive in Bengaluru tomorrow morning.

Mortal remains of Ananth Kumar will be shifted to BJP headquarters at Malleshwaram in Bengaluru at 8 AM on November 13. People can pay their last respects at National College Grounds in Bengaluru from 10 AM on.

The last rites will be performed at 1 PM at Chamarajapet crematorium. Several state leaders from various parties including Siddaramaiah, Kumaraswamy, Yeddyurappa, Governor Vajubhai Vala and others paid homage today.

Ananth Kumar died at 2 AM on November 12 following multi-organ failure. 59-year-old BJP leader was suffering from lung cancer. He was recently admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru after undergoing treatment in London and New York.

PM Modi had earlier Tweeted:

Modi had also Tweeted saying, "Ananth Kumar Ji was an able administrator, who handled many ministerial portfolios and was a great asset to the BJP organisation. He worked hard to strengthen the Party in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. He was always accessible to his constituents."

 Ananth Kumar has left behind his wife and two daughters.