Gandhinagar, Dec 1 (IANS): BJP's Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat, Abhay Bhardwaj succumbed to coronavirus in a Chennai hospital on Tuesday.

With his death, Gujarat has lost two Rajya Sabha members within in a week, with veteran Congress leader and Treasurer Ahmed Patel succumbing on November 26.

A senior party leader from Rajkot and a lawyer by profession, Bhardwaj had been elected to the upper house of Parliament in July.

Bhardwaj, after contracting the coronavirus, was initially admitted in Rajkot hospital's ICU ward for a month. But two months back he was shifted to a private hospital in Chennai owing to his failing condition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences on Twitter.

"Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, Shri AbhayvBhardwaj Ji was a distinguished lawyer and remained at the forefront of serving society. It is sad that we have lost a bright and insightful mind, passionate about national development. Condolences to his family and friends... Om Shanti," he posted.