New Delhi, Dec 24 : Expressing grief over the death of former Union minister Jai Narayan Prasad Nishad, BJP president Amit Shah Monday described him as a grassroots politician who dedicated his life to the welfare of the poor and deprived.

He was an excellent politician, dynamic social worker and committed worker, Shah said, noting that he was BJP MP in the Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha.

A five-term Lok Sabha member, the 88-year-old leader breathed his last at a private hospital in Delhi Monday morning and is survived by son Ajay Nishad, a BJP MP, and four daughters.

In his long career, the veteran leader switched parties often, serving in the RJD, the JD(U) and the BJP, but maintained a firm grip on his support base.

Nishad, Shah said, was the voice of Dalits, backwards and the poor and that his death has caused a void in the social and political life.

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New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.

The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.

In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.

"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.

It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.

The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.

The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.

The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.

The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.

A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.