(L to R) A B Vajpayee, Jaswant Sinha, George Fernandes and L K Advani after a meeting outside Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on 30-11-1997. (Express photo by Arvind Yadav)
Former Union Minister George Fernandes passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness. The former defence minister was bedridden for the past few years. As the news of Fernandes’ demise spread, tributes and condolences poured in from all quarters for the Janata Dal leader.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Fernandes as “the best of India’s political leadership”. Taking to Twitter, he said, “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 (George) was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away.” Congress chief Rahul Gandhi posted on Facebook, “I am sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian and Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief.”
George Fernandes passed away on Tuesday morning. (Express archive photo)
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced a two-day state mourning following the demise of former Union minister George Fernandes.
Despite being a staunch critic of the RSS, Fernandes joined the BJP-led NDA government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and 1999, in which he was appointed the defense minister. Under his stewardship, India fought the Kargil war in 1999. It was also during his tenure that India conducted nuclear test at Pokhran in 1998.
He was also the industries minister under the Janata Party government which had defeated former Prime Minster Indira Gandhi in 1977. Soon he was at loggerheads with industrialists and demanded that Coca-Cola and IBM comply with foreign ownership regulations, which forced them to shut down their operations and quit India.
Former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah also paid tributes to Fernandes.
"Rest in peace George Fernandes Sahib. You were a tireless crusader fighting for the voiceless, the marginalised & for those that needed someone in their corner. You called a spade a spade & did so unabashedly. You were always a friend & well wisher of the people of J&K. God speed," Omar tweeted.
"Today we mourn the loss of a titan. He represented an era of leaders who were true statesmen and not just politicians," Mehbooba said.
Union minister and Dalit leader Ramdas Athawale described the death of Fernandes as the "descension of a star of the socialist movement".
Athawale also praised Fernandes for giving permission to his party, the RPI, to hold a rally at the Race Course in Pune in 1998 when the former was the Defence Minister.
Athawale said only the rallies of late Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were allowed at the Race Course till then.
"Fernandes also used to respect Dr BR Ambedkar a lot. He had formed the Samata Party," Athawale said in a statement.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Tuesday expressed grief over the demise of former Union Minister and veteran leader George Fernandes.
Rao remembered the contribution of late Fernandes as a trade union leader and Union Defence Minister, a release from the CM's office said.
He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the near and dear of the departed soul, it said.
Condoling the death of George Fernandes, BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday said he stood steadfastly to protect the country's democratic values and his political persona left an indelible mark on India's political history.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami hailed George Fernandes as a "multi-faceted" personality. "He was a multi-faceted personality, being a politician, trade union leader and journalist. He was a good administrator and a hard working person who was affable to all," the CM said in a statement. "The demise of former Union minister George Fernandes is a great loss for India," he added and extended his sympathies to the departed leader's family and supporters.
The CPI also condoled the death of the former Union minister, recalling the departed leader's contributions as a trade unionist. "He (Fernandes) led many trade union movements. As a socialist leader, he contributed a lot. But, unfortunately,... he joined the BJP and supported the rightist politics, though he did not become a part of it. However, his contribution is to be remembered," CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy was quoted as saying by PTI. "I convey my heartfelt condolences at the demise of Fernandes," he said. Reddy recalled that he had worked with Fernandes in the Parliament during 2004-2009.
After paying her tributes to the deceased Janata Dal leader, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Shri Fernandes will also be remembered as one of the most fearless trade union leaders who worked tirelessly for the welfare of people. He was an epitome of humility in public life and a true champion of democracy."
"The country will remember his stellar leadership during the Pokhran Nuclear tests and his role as an incisive Defence Minister in the Kargil War," the Defence Ministry tweeted.
Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha said, "It is very sad news. He was like an elder brother to me. Our association started when I had joined the Janata party. When I met him, I felt I was meeting my hero. He was a simple man. He did a lot of work in the Defence Ministry."
Pawar said, "We have lost a leader who was a fighter and dedicated his life to the cause of workers, labourers and common people of India. He was my close friend, I have lost my senior colleague in public life."
"In 1949, he came to Mumbai and became a Mumbaikar. He plunged into workers' movement, voicing their concerns and fighting for justice. He was instrumental in setting up workers union in Mumbai Municipal Corporation and also organised railway strikes," Pawar said.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar also expressed grief over the demise of his friend George Fernandes and paid rich tributes to him, lauding his fiery oratory and his contributions as Union minister and trade union leader. In his message, Pawar hailed Fernandes for "strengthening and giving new direction" to the workers' (labour) movement.
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said, "Deeply saddened by the death of Shri. George Fernandes. He had championed the cause of socialist movements. He was not just my partner in political movements but also assumed the role of my elder brother to guide me. My deepest condolences to his family, friends &well-wishers."
"I have been deeply influenced by his thoughts and actions and was closely associated with him during the JP movement. My condolences to bereaved family members, friends and followers," the vice president said.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said, "Extremely saddened to learn about the passing away of former Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes. 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 Indeed, he was multi-faceted personality."
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari also offered his condolences to Fernandes. He said, "I offer my condolences at his passing away. He had committed his life to the country. He fought for justice for trade unions. I considered him an icon."
"Deeply saddened by the passing away of India’s former Defence Minister George Fernandes. 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," Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also condoled the demise of the former Union minister. "I am sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian and Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief," he posted on Facebook.
"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. My thoughts are with his family, friends and lakhs of people grieving. May his soul rest in peace," PM Modi said.
"When we think of Mr George Fernandes, 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.
Remembering him as “the best of India’s political leadership", PM Modi said, “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 (George) was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Saddened by his passing away.”
Former Union Minister George Fernandes passed away today at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness. The former defence minister was bedridden for the past few years. As the news of the former defence minister’s demise spread, tributes and condolences poured in from all quarters for the Janata Dal leader.