Former Union Defence Minister and Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar passed away in Panaji on March 17, 2019.
Political leaders across the country have condoled Mr. Parrikar's death.
Here are some of their reactions:
"Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa, after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity. An epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to the people of Goa and of India will not be forgotten," says President Ram Nath Kovind
"Shri Manohar Parrikar was an unparalleled leader. A true patriot and exceptional administrator, he was admired by all. His impeccable service to the nation will be remembered by generations. Deeply saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. " -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
In another tweet Mr. Modi says "Shri Manohar Parrikar was the builder of modern Goa. Thanks to his affable personality and accessible nature, he remained the preferred leader of the state for years. His pro-people policies ensured Goa scales remarkable heights of progress."
"India will be eternally grateful to Shri Manohar Parrikar for his tenure as our Defence Minister. When he was RM, India witnessed a series of decisions that enhanced India’s security capacities, boosted indigenous defence production and bettered the lives of ex-servicemen."
"We inform with deep grief that our beloved Chief Minister of Goa Shri. Manohar Parrikar passed away today evening, after a spirited battle against cancer." -- Goa Chief Minister Office
"I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Goa CM, Shri Manohar Parrikar Ji, who bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a year. Respected and admired across party lines, he was one of Goa’s favourite sons. My condolences to his family in this time of grief." -- Congress president Rahul Gandhi
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has released a statement saying they "deeply mourned the sad demise of Mr. Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa."
In a condolence message, the GPCC recalled the contribution of Mr. Parrikar to the State of Goa, who bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a year.
“The passion and enthusiasm with which he took on the responsibilities either as the Leader of Opposition, as well as the Chief Minister and Defence Minister, will be long remembered by the people of Goa. Our condolences to his family in this time of grief,” said Goa Pradesh Congress president Girish Chodankar in his message.
Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Mr. Parrikar's alma mater, condoled his demise in a statement.
"Goa Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar's demise comes as a shock to all of us at IIT-Bombay. He was the Institute's Distinguished Alumnus & keenly involved with many initiatives at IIT Bombay. He was also deeply involved with the launch of IIT Goa. He was the Chief Guest for the 55th Convocation of IIT Bombay held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 10.00 am at the Institute’s Convocation Hall. The Institute condoles his demise," the statement said.
"Saddened at the passing away of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar ji. He patiently endured his illness. Condolences to his family and his admirers." -- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
"Entire BJP stands firmly with Parrikar ji’s family. I along with millions of BJP karyakartas and importantly the people of Goa, who were his family, express my deepest condolences. May God give the bereaved family strength to withstand this tragic loss. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti." -- BJP president Amit Shah
"Deeply saddened and pained by the demise of my dear friend & Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Manohar Parrikar. He was known for his honesty, integrity and simplicity. He served the nation and the state of Goa with great diligence. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family." -- Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
"Saddened to know about the demise of senior BJP leader Shri Manohar Parrikar ji, Chief Minister of Goa. He always led by example in his public life & was loved by masses. He will be missed by everyone of us. May God render peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti" -- Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
"Shri Manohar Parrikar is no more. A sincere, honest & sensitive political activist. Was simple and down to earth, I learnt a lot from Shri.Parrikar. As Raksha Mantri his contribution to making the armed forces a modernised, lean & mean fighting machine will remain unparalleled." -- Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
"My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & colleagues of Manohar Parrikar Sahib. His untimely demise has left a void that will be difficult to fill. May his soul rest in peace." -- Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
"My condolences to the bereaved family of Shri. Manohar Parrikar. I met him only once, when he graciously visited my mother at the hospital two years ago. May his soul rest in peace." -- Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
"Extremely saddened by the untimely demise of my good friend Manohar Parrikar ji. An epitome of impeccable integrity, a down to earth personality, the first IITian to become CM of a state, great son of India gone too soon... RIP my dear friend..." -- Union Minister Suresh Prabhu.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao expressed his condolences on the demise of Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar. Mr. Rao in a condolence message a little while ago said that India has lost one great public representative. He conveyed his condolences to the members of bereaved family.
"Terribly pained and saddened with the sudden demise of Goa CM Manohar Parrikar ji, we have lost a humble, simple, trusted, valued and hardworking leader of India. His dedication towards his work was beyond imagination," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Mr. Fadnavis said "I got many opportunities to work and interact with him.Right from the programs when he was the Raksha Mantri to my recent visit to Hindustan Waste Treatment Pvt Limited plant at Saligao in Goa. His commitment and vision always kept inspiring me! Now, only memories are left!"
"He was a true son of Goa and served India in many roles and responsibilities! No doubt Shri Manohar Parrikar will be remembered as one of best Defence Ministers of India. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and people of Goa & India," said Mr. Fadnavis
"Very sad. He was a gentleman politician. My heartfelt condolences." -- Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner.
Senior BJP leader and Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari said since his initial days in politics, Parrikar was his good friend. “The great son of Mother India worked for the development of Goa till his last breath. I am speechless. He was a face of dignified politics. He truly ruled hearts of every party worker,” Mr. Gadkari said.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar also expressed grief over his demise. “We have lost an able and industrious administrator who made his mark with his simple demeanour and extraordinary intellect. My sincere condolences to his family members,” Mr. Pawar tweeted.
Human Resources Minister Prakash Javadekar said he was an epitome of idealism in public life. “He had a vision for Goa and the country and worked on mission mode to accomplish it in whichever responsibility he was given. We have lost an ideal leader, with whom I had worked since he entered the BJP. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and his supporters. Om Shanti,” he tweeted.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said he was a true fighter who worked tirelessly for the welfare of his people with a sense of duty and dignity.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik described him as a widely respected public figure and an able administrator
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot condoled his death and prayed for peace of the departed soul.
Expressing sadness over Parrikar’s demise, former President Pranab Mukherjee said the Goa chief minister fought bravely against his disease and he always hoped that Mr. Parrikar will beat it.
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said Parrikar’s exemplary leadership will continue to inspire and serve as a benchmark.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed Mr. Parrikar as a “symbol of simplicity” in politics.
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said Mr. Parrikar’s dedication and simplicity won many hearts and he also contributed immensely towards the development of the nation.
LJP president and Food and Civic Supplies Minister Ram Vilas Paswan described the Goa chief minister as the people’s leader who lived a simple life and had a spotless political career. “He was a rare politician. India has lost a great son in his demise,” he said.
Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said that with Parrikar’s death, he lost a close friend and it was a big loss to the nation and the party.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the nation will remember him as a loved public figure.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad tweeted that stayed away from VIP culture, carried his own luggage, stood in queues as an ordinary man, cleanest politician, represented the modern suave generation and demonstrated excellence in whatever he did.
Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha on behalf of the State Government and the people of Goa has conveyed heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all, including his family, on the death of Chief Minister and Former Union Minister for Defence Manohar Parrikar.
In her condolence message the Governor has said that as a political leader he had, in his own way, chartered a new approach to various problems and succeeded in resolving many of them by his sincere personality. ‘Mr. Parrikar was an able administrator and has raised the stature of the State of Goa. ln his death, the country and the State of Goa has lost a tall leader and the vacuum created by him will be difficult to fill,’ Ms. Sinha said.
Goa Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao said in his condolence message that Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar would sometimes seek the opinion of Catholic church leaders before taking "far reaching decisions" for the benefit of Goa. The condolence message further said, “The 63-year-old politician's sense of secularism and communal harmony and respect for the various religions, cultures, and traditions of the people have been generally appreciated by the population". "We acknowledge gratefully the respect and consideration he had for the Church authorities in this State. He would sometimes seek their opinion before coming out with far-reaching decisions for the benefit of the State," Archbishop said and described Mr. Parrikar’s death as a great loss to the people of Goa. "His appreciation for the contribution of the Catholic educational institutions in Goa was well-known,” he said and praised his efficiency in creating lasting infrastructure for hosting two largescale Catholic events — the Expositions of the Sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, in his tenure as Chief Minister.
DMK president M.K. Stalin and leaders of various other parties in Tamil Nadu Sunday condoled the death of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikkar.
Mr. Stalin in a tweet said: “Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of Chief Minister of Goa, Thiru Manohar Parrikar. On behalf of DMK, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and fellow party persons.”
State BJP President Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "Pained to hear the sudden demise of honb @manoharparrikar. Recall your humble simple life and your great desire to work in your office for the cause of nation till your last breathe.”
Pattali Makkal Katchi founder leader S. Ramadoss said demise of Goa Chief Minister was shocking. “He was a talented leader who was loved by people. Should have lived longer and touched great heights. His demise is loss for Goa,” he said.
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee deeply mourns the sad demise of Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa. In a condolence message, the GPCC recalled the contribution of Mr. Parrikar to the State of Goa, who bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a year. “The passion and enthusiasm with which he took on the responsibilities either as the Leader of Opposition, as well as the Chief Minister and Defence Minister, will be long remembered by the people of Goa. Our condolences to his family in this time of grief,” said Goa Pradesh Congress president Girish Chodankar in his message.
Chhattisgarh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and former CM and BJP colleague Raman Singh offered tribute to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who died Sunday evening after prolonged illness.
Mr. Patel said Parrikar’s death was an irreparable loss. Chief Minister Baghel extended his deepest sympathies to the family of Parrikar, while Singh said the nation had lost a “karmayogi“.
“He was a karmayogi in the true sense. He led his life with simplicity. His ideological greatness will continue to inspire those who are working in the social field,” Singh said.
Chhattisgarh BJP legislative party leader Dharamlal Kaushik said Mr. Parrikar’s life was a struggle for equality in society under odd situations.
“He had established an ideal while executing his duties as Union Home minister and Goa chief minister. His contribution will always remain as an inspiration among us,” Kaushik said.
Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also expressed their condolences.
“I am deeply saddened to hear the demise of Manohar Parrikar ji. He was an outstanding leader and best known for his administrative acumen. He contributed immensely to the growth of Goa in particular and the country in general,” Mr. Mukhi said in a statement.
It is a big loss to the country and will be difficult to fill, the Governor added.
Mr. Sonowal said he was saddened to learn about the death of Parrikar. “A people’s leader respected for his humility & immense love for the nation, his passing away has left a huge void in India’s public life. My sincere condolences,” he wrote on Twitter.
(With inputs from PTI)
