Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and leaders from across the political spectrum have condoled the demise of the former Governor, P.C. Alexander, hailing him as an “outstanding” civil servant and administrator.
“Alexander was one of our most outstanding civil servants. To each of the numerous public positions he held, he brought not only his fierce commitment to the public good but also a quiet grace and dignity,” Dr. Singh said in a message here.
“It was a tribute to his extraordinary abilities that his advice was sought by successive Prime Ministers,” he said.
Mr. Alexander was the principal secretary to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and briefly advised Rajiv Gandhi.
Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, BJP chief Nitin Gandakri said he would always be remembered as an “able administrator” by the people of Maharashtra, where he served as the Governor from 1993 to 2002. He was also Tamil Nadu Governor from 1988 to 1990.
“I express my profound grief and sorrow on the demise of P.C. Alexander, a veteran bureaucrat and a former governor of Maharashtra,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said the nation had lost an excellent administrator.
She said Mr. Alexander had excelled himself as the Governor of Tamil Nadu (1988-1990) and Maharashtra.
Mumbai Staff Reporter writes:
Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan said the senior bureaucrat set benchmarks for the gubernatorial position.
“Dr. P.C. Alexander will go down in the history of Maharashtra not only as the longest-serving Governor, but also, as one of the finest. He brought to bear his vast experience as an international diplomat while discharging his duties as the Governor of the State.”
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said he was a man of action.
