George Fernandes was one of the most prominent leaders of the socialist movement in the 1970s.
Veteran socialist George Fernandes, who was the defence minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, died on Tuesday following a prolonged illness, his long time associate Jaya Jaitly said. He was 88. George Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which had forced him out of the public eye for last many years, and had recently contracted swine flu, she said, adding that he died at his home in Delhi. George Fernandes was one of the most prominent leaders of the socialist movement in the 1970s. George Fernandes was a senior Janata Dal leader before he founded the Samata Party. Apart from the defence ministry during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, Georges Fernandes held several ministerial portfolios including communications, industry and railways. He rose to prominence after his surprise victory in the 1967 parliamentary elections, over a Congress veteran in Mumbai.
Here are the updates:
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh writes to George Fernandes's wife:
"In his death our country has lost a versatile personality who with his unparalleled efficiency excelled as a mass leader and gave paramount importance to the well-being of the downtrodden people of our country. I take this opportunity to convey to you and other members of your family my heartfelt condolences on this bereavement," he wrote.
PM Modi pays respects to former Defence Minister George Fernandes
PM Modi arrives at George Fernandes' home to pay his respects
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani on George Fernandes
"Fernandes was a fearless, forthright and a forceful leader, who started his career as a trade union activist. He always fought for justice, took up the cause for the poor and was a very effective parliamentarian."
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on George Fernandes:
He gave strength and new direction to the workers' movement. He dedicated himself to concerns of workers and to ensure justice for them.
Leaders pay tributes to George Fernanades
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pays tribute to former defence minister George Fernandes
Describing socialist leader George Fernandes as a "fighter" for the working class, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday condoled his death. Mr Naidu's office said in a tweet, "Shri Fernandes was a fighter for working class, a trade unionist, an upright politician, an able administrator, a great parliamentarian and above all was a good human being". George Fernandes was a multi-faceted personality, Mr Naidu said.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday condoled the death of former defence minister George Fernandes, saying it is a great loss for the country, politically as well as intellectually. "Deeply saddened at passing away of former Union minister and stalwart leader George Fernandes. It is a great loss for the nation, both politically as well as intellectually," Mr Patnaik wrote on Twitter. "Pray for his soul to rest in peace and my condolences for his family and followers," he said.
Bihar government has announced a two-day state mourning on the death of former Defence Minister George Fernandes.
News agency ANI further quoted Jaya Jaitly: "He (George Fernandes) had expressed his wished earlier to be cremated but during his last days, he said he wanted to be buried. So, we will cremate the body and bury the ashes, to fulfil both his wishes."
George Fernandes: A Look Back At The Political Leader And Former Minister In IndiaGeorge Fernandes rose to political prominence when he led the Bombay Taxi Unions Association and defeated SK Patil, a Congress heavy-weight in the 1967 general election. A fire-brand and hardworking George Fernandes, only 37 then, campaigned tirelessly, covering large swathes of the constituency with his workers getting a 48.5 per cent of the votes. George Fernandes later joined the Janata Dal. He served as Railway Minister in the VP Singh government from 1989 to 1990. He was instrumental in setting up the Konkan Railway project, connecting Mangalore and Bombay. In 1994, George Fernandes formed the Samata Party, which later allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was appointed convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and served as the Defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government for two terms, between 1998 and 2004. His term was eventful as it witnessed the Kargil War and the Pokhran test.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is the Janata Dal-United chief and has worked closely with George Fernandes for three decades, described his death as the "loss of the tallest socialist leader". "I offer my deepest condolences on passing away of former defence minister George Fernandes. He was a fiery trade union leader who fought for justice. May his soul rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family," Nitish Kumar said.
All official programmes of Nitish Kumar were cancelled for the day.
George Fernandes was India's defence minister in the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee when India fought the Kargil war in 1999. It was during his tenure that India conducted nuclear test at Pokhran in 1998.
The last rites of George Fernandes will be held tomorrow after the arrival of his son. "Right now, the body is being embalmed," social activist and former Samata Party president Jaya Jaitly told news agency ANI, outside the home of George Fernandes, former defence minister of India, who died today.
Remembering George Fernandes' contribution during the Emergency, BJP President Amit Shah said, "The most abiding memories of Fernandes
ji are those of his fierce opposition to the emergency in 1975. He stood steadfastly to protect India's democratic values."
Visuals from outside the home of former defence minister George Fernandes
George Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and recently, he contracted swine flu, news agency PTI said quoting sources in his family.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to George Fernandes' family and friends. "I'm sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian and Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji," Mr Gandhi said in a Facebook post.
Calling George Fernandes' tenure as defence minister "outstanding", Union Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Deeply saddened by the passing away of India's former Defence Minister George Fernandes
ji. Today we have lost a stalwart of India's socialist movement. He devoted his entire life for the welfare and uplift of the poor and marginalised. My heartfelt condolences to his family."
Calling George Fernandes a well wisher of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, former chief minister Omar Abdullah grieved the death of the ex-defence minister. "Rest in peace George Fernandes
Sahib. You were a tireless crusader fighting for the voiceless, the marginalised and for those that needed someone in their corner. You called a spade a spade and did so unabashedly. You were always a friend and well wisher of the people of J&K. God speed," Mr Abdullah said on Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised George Fernandes for his contribution as a tall political leader and as minister in India. "During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail," PM Modi tweeted. "...we remember most notably the fiery trade union leader who fought for justice, the leader who could humble the mightiest of politicians at the hustings, a visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong," PM Modi added.
President Ram Nath Kovind grieved the death of former defence minister George Fernandes. "He epitomised simple living and high thinking. And was a champion of democracy, during the Emergency and beyond. We will all miss him," the President tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the micro-blogging site Twitter today to express his grief over the death of former defence minister of India George Fernandes. "George
Sahab represented the best of India's political leadership. Frank and fearless, forthright and farsighted, he made a valuable contribution to our country. He was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised," PM Modi said.