Updated February 2nd, 2019 at 20:58 IST

Former Defence Minister George Fernandes passes away at age 88 in New Delhi

Former Defence Minister George Fernandes has passed away at age 88 in New Delhi.

India
0 min read

Follow:

| Image:self

Former Defence Minister George Fernandes has passed away at the age of 88 in New Delhi at 7.00 am on Tuesday morning.

He was dealing with Alzheimer's disease.

He had last worked as the Member of Parliament between August 2009 and July 2010. He has held several ministerial portfolios which included communications, industry, railways, and defence. He was the only Christian minister in Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's cabinet.

He belonged from Mangalore. He was born June 3 in 1930. He was the founder of the Samata Party. He was an important member of the Janata Dal.

Here are the Positions Held:

He was the member of Fourth Lok Sabha between 1967-70
He was the General Secretary of the Samyukta Socialist Party during 1969-73
He was the All India Railwaymen's Federation President between 1973-77
Fernandes was once again elected as MP in the Sixth Lok Sabha between 1977-79. This was his 2nd term as lawmaker of the lower house.
He was made the Union Cabinet Minister, Communications between March-July in 1977 and the Union Cabinet Minister, Industry during 1977-79
He was elected as a Member of the Seventh Lok Sabha for the 3rd time between 1980-84
He was elected again in the next elections for the Ninth Lok Sabha.
He was made the Union Cabinet Minister, Railways between 1989-90
He was made the Minister of Kashmir Affairs (Additional charge) for the term between March-May 1990
He was elected as the Member of the Tenth Lok Sabha for the 5th time in 1991.
From 1994 onwards he was the President of the Samata Party in 1996
He was elected the Member of the Eleventh Lok Sabha for the 6th time
He was elected again for the 7th term and was the Member between 1998-99 of the Twelfth Lok Sabha
He was again elected as the Member of the Thirteenth Lok Sabha
He was made the Union Cabinet Minister, Defence between October 15 2001-May 2004
He was elected in the Fourteenth Lok Sabha (9th term) for the years 2004-2009
He was made the Rajya Sabha Member between Aug. 2009 – July 2010

Tributes for the former Defence Minister were sent by many in the political spectrum:

PM Narendra Modi addressing the Samata Party leader as George Sahab gave a glowing tribute to him:

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.

Saddened by his passing away.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)

Amit Shah expressed his pain about George Fernandes''demise:

Anguished to learn about the demise of George Fernandes ji. His political persona left an indelible mark on several significant political events over decades. He also held several important ministerial portfolios in the Union cabinet over time.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah)

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad called him an icon of socialist movement:

Saddened to know about the demise of great leader George Fernandes. He was an icon of socialist movement, a great fighter for freedom and democracy during Emergency and an outstanding defense Minister of India.
My deep condolences.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad)

The Congress has also tweeted about his passing:

We're saddened to hear about the passing away of former Defence Minister George Fernandes. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & friends in their time of loss. pic.twitter.com/U1wayABC0c
— Congress (@INCIndia)

Congress leader Priyanka Chaturvedi has also tweeted about him:

My heartfelt condolences on the passing away of George Fernandes ji. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
May his soul rest in peace.
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19)

Published January 29th, 2019 at 09:14 IST

Narendra Modi Amit Shah