Former Union Minister Jaswant Singh passed away on Sunday at the age of 82. He was a retired army official-turned-politician who served as the Minister of Defence in A.B. Vajpayee's Cabinet. The country's leading politicians paid tribute to Singh, who had been under treatment at the R&R Hospital in Delhi.
Also read | Obituary: Jaswant Singh's long journey from an Army man to a parliamentarian
Here are some of the reactions:
Naveen Patnaik, Dharmendra Pradhan, Pratap Sarangi condole death of Jaswant Singh
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi on Sunday condoled the death of, saying he will be remembered for his contribution to Indian polity.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of veteran leader, former Union minister #JaswantSingh ji. His contribution to Indian polity was substantial. My prayers are with his family and friends,” Mr. Patnaik tweeted.
Union Petroleum and Steel Minister also took to Twitter to mourn the demise of the former union minister, saying the veteran leader had served the nation diligently in various capacities.
Union Minister of State for MSME Pratap Sarangi in a message said, Singh's role in strengthening the BJP and work done for the country as a Union Minister will always be remembered.
BJP national vice-president and former MP Baijayant Panda also condoled the death of the veteran leader.
Uttar Pradesh governor, CM mourn Jaswant Singh's death
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday expressed grief over the death of Jaswant Singh.
The U.P. governor in her message said the death of the former Union minister is extremely saddening.
“His inspiring personality will always be remembered. My condolence with the aggrieved family,” she said.
U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Jaswant Singh was a senior and experienced politician, and he discharged his responsibilities effectively as a Union minister. He also rendered his services for a long time as a Member of Parliament. The loss following the death of Jaswant Singh will be hard to fill".
BSP supremo Mayawati also condoled the death of Jaswant Singh. In a tweet she said, “The death of stalwart BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who held portfolios of Defence, Finance and External Affairs, and nine-time MP is very sad".
Jaswant Singh was the perfect boss and mentor: Omar Abdullah
Jaswant Singh was the perfect boss and mentor, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said as he remembered his stint as a junior to the former External Affairs Minister.
Mr. Abdullah, who was the Minister of State for External Affairs from July 2001 to December 2002, took to Twitter to mourn Singh’s demise, saying his boss was always supportive.
“Jaswant Singh sahib was my senior minister when I was Minister of State External Affairs. He was supportive without being interfering, was always available for advice & never made me feel like my work didn’t matter. He was the perfect boss & mentor. Rest in peace sir," he tweeted.
Served our nation diligently, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Jaswant Singh's death, remembering his contributions to the nation as a soldier and a parliamentarian.
"Jaswant Singh Ji served our nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics. During Atal Ji’s Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of finance, defence and external affairs. Saddened by his demise," wrote PM Modi on Twitter.
Singh was also one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
"Jaswant Singh Ji will be remembered for his unique perspective on matters of politics and society. He also contributed to the strengthening of the BJP. I will always remember our interactions. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," PM Modi wrote, adding he has conveyed his condolences to Singh's son Manvendra Singh.
Jaswant ji was a true gentleman, says LK Advani
Veteran BJP leader LK Advani described Jaswant Singh as one of his closest colleagues and a dear friend, saying he was an “outstanding parliamentarian, astute diplomat, great administrator, and above all, a patriot".
He noted that a “very special bond was formed between Atal ji, Jaswant ji and myself” while handling tenacious issues during those six years (1998-2004) in power.
“As a person, Jaswant ji was a true gentleman and will be remembered as a soft-spoken, erudite and warm-hearted person. He was known for his sharp, analytical mind and was respected by people across the political spectrum,” Mr Advani said in a statement.
Singh became one of the tallest leaders of the BJP and contributed greatly throughout his active years in the party, he said.
Noting that Singh was also a great lover of books like him, the veteran BJP leader said they often shared notes about this common interest.
“I cherish my long association with him in public life and the bond shared between our families... His passing away is a huge loss to the nation and personally to me. May his soul rest in peace,” Mr Advani said.
Mr Advani was instrumental in bringing Jaswant Singh back into the party’s fold after he was expelled in 2009 for authoring a book that had words of praise for Pakistan’s founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah. - PTI
A man of impeccable integrity, says M. Venkaiah Naidu
“Deeply saddened by the demise of former Union Minister, Shri Jaswant Singh. He was a great leader who served the nation with distinction in various capacities,” the Vice-President Secretariat tweeted quoting Naidu.
He was a man of impeccable integrity, an able administrator and an excellent parliamentarian, the vice-president said.
“My thoughts are with the bereaved family and friends. Om Shanti,” he said. - PTI
Will be remembered for fashioning a foreign policy for a nuclear India, says Jaishankar
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar took to Twitter to condole Singh's death, noting in particular his contributions to nuclear India's foreign policy.
"Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Shri Jaswant Singh ji. He will be particularly remembered for fashioning a foreign policy for a nuclear India. As foreign minister, he brought out the best in Indian diplomats," wrote Mr. Jaishankar.
"His enormous erudition was matched by his extraordinary personal grace. My sincerest condolences to his family. Om Shanti," he added.
'A man of substance and style': Swapan Dasgupta pays tribute
Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta took to Twitter to pay tribute.
"Former External Affairs minister Jaswant Singh was a man of substance & style. He was a patrician in a landed Tory sort of way. Tremendously well read, he had a way with words. In 1987 he told me that BJP was the casualty of “an etymological block”. He served India well. OmShanti," he wrote.
A leader known for his simplicity, humbleness, governance skills, says T.N. Governor
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit said that his demise was an irreparable loss to the people of the country.
"An experienced political leader known for his simplicity, humbleness, governance skills and cordial relations will be missed by the country. He was an asset to the people of India," the Governor's condolence message, released by the Raj Bhavan said.
The former Union Minister was appreciated as an outstanding parliamentarian across the political parties and his contribution in the nation building and to the needy people would be remembered forever, Mr. Purohit said.
"I convey my deep condolences to the bereaved members of the family and pray to the Almighty God to rest his soul in peace and give strength to his family to overcome this unfathomable loss," the Governor said.
A valiant soldier: T.N. Chief Minister
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami tweeted: "Very sad to hear the death of former Union Minister Shri.Jaswant Singh Ji. He was a Valiant soldier able administrator. We fondly recollect his association with our beloved Amma. May his soul rest in peace. Heartfelt Condolences."
Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan recalled the services of Mr. Singh to the nation as a soldier in the Indian Army and to the party. Mr. Harichandan said that Jaswanth Singh was responsible for the introduction of the State Value Added Tax (VAT), during his term as the Union Finance Minister from 2002 to 2004, which helped the States generate more revenue.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tweeted:
“Saddened at the passing away of former Defence Minister and one of India’s longest-serving parliamentarians, Jaswant Singh Ji. My condolences to his family and his many admirers,” she wrote. - PTI
