George Fernandes (3 June 1930 - 29 January 2019): A Socialist Stalwart A prominent trade unionist, journalist, and statesman, George Fernandes held the Defence portfolio from 1998 to 2004. His over three-decade-long Lok Sabha career, beginning in 1967, predominantly represented Bihar constituencies. A key figure in various socialist parties, including the Samyukta Socialist Party, Janata Party, and Janata Dal, he ultimately founded the Samata Party. His ministerial roles spanned key portfolios like Communications, Industry, Railways, and Defence. A champion of labour rights, his early career saw him lead numerous strikes, notably the 1974 railway strike. His defiance of Indira Gandhi during the Emergency led to his arrest and trial in the Baroda dynamite case. Post-Emergency, he served as Industries Minister, revoking licences for IBM and Coca-Cola for investment violations. As Railways Minister, he spearheaded the Konkan Railway project. His tenure as Defence Minister encompassed the Kargil War and the Pokhran nuclear tests. Fernandes' legacy, however, is marked by controversies including the Barak Missile scandal and the Tehelka affair. Posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2020, his nine Lok Sabha victories underscore his enduring political influence.