Congress leader Rajiv Tyagi dies of cardiac arrest

Congress spokesman Rajiv Tyagi died here on Wednesday, soon after participating in a debate on a private news channel on the Bengaluru violence.

Tyagi suffered a heart attack at his residence in Ghaziabad and was rushed to a private hospital in an unconscious condition where doctors tried to revive him.

"Rajiv Tyagi had collapsed at his residence during a TV debate. His family members tried giving him a massage and he was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state 6:30 pm," a doctor at the Yashoda Hospital in Ghaziabad said.

The doctor said Tyagi was immediately put on ventilator as attempts were made to revive him, but he crashed after about 45 minutes.

"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," the Congress tweeted.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra spoke to Tyagi's widow and offered their condolences.

“Congress has lost a fierce lion today. Rajiv Tyagi’s love for the Congress and inspiration for struggle will always be remembered,” former Congress President Rahul Gandhi said.

“The untimely death of Rajiv Tyagi, spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, is a matter of personal sorrow for me and an irreparable loss to everyone,” AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said here.

Known for his spirited defence of the Congress in news television, Tyagi had participated in a debate on a Hindi news channel at 5:00 p.m. along with BJP spokesman Sambit Patra and two other panelists.

Tyagi was seen sipping water and wiping his brow through the nearly hour-long debate.

“I am still unable to believe that Congress spokesman and my friend Rajiv Tyagi is no longer with us. We had participated in a television debate at 5:00 p.m.,” Patra said.

“One can see Rajiv Tyagi feeling uneasy during the debate… Also it's time the media stops these toxic shouting matches that they call debates...,” Srivatsa, National Campaign in-charge, Youth Congress said.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and scores of Congress leaders condoled the death of Tyagi.