New Delhi: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief at the demise of former Defence Minister George Fernandes who passed away Tuesday following a prolonged illness. He was 88 and was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and recently, contracted swine flu, family sources said.
Describing Fernandes as a top leader, Patnaik said that it ‘is a great loss to India both politically and intellectually’.
The socialist leader was India’s defence minister in the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and he was the industry minister under the Jan Sangh government, which defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the demise, and said Fernandes was frank and fearless, and never deviated from his ideology.
“A visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong. During his long years in public life, George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy,” the PM said.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to Fernandes’ family and friends. “I’m sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji,” Gandhi said in a Facebook post.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also condoled the demise of Fernandes. “Very saddened at the passing away of former Defence Minister and much admired trade unionist, George Fernandes Ji. I have known him for decades. My condolences to his family and admirers,” the Trinamool Congress leader tweeted.
Agencies