<p>Badminton Association of India president and former Union Minister Akhilesh Das Gupta died here on Wednesday following cardiac arrest.<br /><br />Gupta suffered massive heart attack and was rushed to the Lari hospital where he died in the wee hours, sources said.<br /><br />Gupta (56) was a Rajya Sabha member and was a Minister for Steels in the Congress government.<br /><br />Gupta, son of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Banarsi Das Gupta, is survived by his wife, daughter and son.<br /><br />Gupta had also been Mayor of Lucknow.<br /><br />In 2012, Gupta had become the BAI president after the arrest of former chief V K Verma over corruption charges in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He was unanimously re-elected for a four-year term in 2014.<br /><br />Last year, he was also elected the vice-president of the Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC) for a four year term.<br /><br />Under his tenure, India bagged the rights to host marquee BWF events like the 2014 Thomas/ Uber Cup and the Super Series, while Syed Modi international was upgraded to a Grand Prix gold status.<br /><br />He was also instrumental in launching and organising the cash-rich Indian Badminton League in August 2013, which was later rechristened the Premier Badminton League in 2015. <br /><br />Saina, Jwala condole <br />Sports Minister Vijay Goel joined top shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Jwala Gutta in expressing deep sorrow at the demise of Das Gupta.<br /><br />“Shocked by the sudden demise of @BAI_Media President Akhilesh Das,was a great administrator.Prayers & condolences for his friends and family,” Goel tweeted.<br />Saina and Jwala also offered condolences.<br /><br />“Really shocking news ??it’s just unbelievable..our beloved president sir @BAI_Media is no more .. may his soul Rest in peace,” tweeted London Olympics bronze-medallist Saina.<br />“My heartfelt condolences to the family of our badminton president who passed away... #akhileshdasgupta #RIP,” Jwala said.<br /><br />“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of our honorable President Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta. May his soul rest in peace,” BAI tweeted from its officials handle.</p>
<p>Badminton Association of India president and former Union Minister Akhilesh Das Gupta died here on Wednesday following cardiac arrest.<br /><br />Gupta suffered massive heart attack and was rushed to the Lari hospital where he died in the wee hours, sources said.<br /><br />Gupta (56) was a Rajya Sabha member and was a Minister for Steels in the Congress government.<br /><br />Gupta, son of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Banarsi Das Gupta, is survived by his wife, daughter and son.<br /><br />Gupta had also been Mayor of Lucknow.<br /><br />In 2012, Gupta had become the BAI president after the arrest of former chief V K Verma over corruption charges in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He was unanimously re-elected for a four-year term in 2014.<br /><br />Last year, he was also elected the vice-president of the Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC) for a four year term.<br /><br />Under his tenure, India bagged the rights to host marquee BWF events like the 2014 Thomas/ Uber Cup and the Super Series, while Syed Modi international was upgraded to a Grand Prix gold status.<br /><br />He was also instrumental in launching and organising the cash-rich Indian Badminton League in August 2013, which was later rechristened the Premier Badminton League in 2015. <br /><br />Saina, Jwala condole <br />Sports Minister Vijay Goel joined top shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Jwala Gutta in expressing deep sorrow at the demise of Das Gupta.<br /><br />“Shocked by the sudden demise of @BAI_Media President Akhilesh Das,was a great administrator.Prayers & condolences for his friends and family,” Goel tweeted.<br />Saina and Jwala also offered condolences.<br /><br />“Really shocking news ??it’s just unbelievable..our beloved president sir @BAI_Media is no more .. may his soul Rest in peace,” tweeted London Olympics bronze-medallist Saina.<br />“My heartfelt condolences to the family of our badminton president who passed away... #akhileshdasgupta #RIP,” Jwala said.<br /><br />“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of our honorable President Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta. May his soul rest in peace,” BAI tweeted from its officials handle.</p>