Former defence minister George Fernandes passes away after prolonged illness

Former defence minister George Fernandes passed away Tuesday following a prolonged illness, his family sources said. He was 88. Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and recently, he contracted swine flu, they said.Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of the socialist leader, saying he was frank and fearless, and never deviated from his ideology.”A visionary railway minister and a great defence minister who made India safe and strong. 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,” the PM said. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences to Fernandes’ family and friends.”I’m sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian & Union Minister, George Fernandes Ji,” he said in a Facebook post.Fernandes was India’s defence minister in the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was the industry minister under the Jan Sangh government which had defeated Indira Gandhi in 1977.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday condoled the demise of former union minister and socialist leader George Fernandes, saying he was frank and fearless and never deviated from his ideology. In a series of tweets, 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 was among the most effective voices for the rights of the poor and marginalised,” he said.
The 88-year-old former defence minister died here after suffering from a prolonged illness. Modi said, “When we think of 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. 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,” the PM said.