Former Defence Minister George Fernandes passes away

New Delhi: Former Defence Minister and veteran socialist leader George Fernandes passed away here on Tuesday.He was 88.

He had been suffering from swine flu for the last few days.

A veteran Parliamentarian who was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1967, Mr Fernandes served several times as a Union Cabinet Minister, holding portfolios such as communications, industry, and railways, besides defence.

He had represented Muzaffarpur and Nalanda from Bihar in Lok Sabha.

In a Tweet, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy expressed grief and said, “Very sad to hear about George Fernandes’ demise. He was a very good friend in his later years. Earlier we had ideological. differences due to his being socialist and
I for market based economy but we were united in opposing TDK and residual Nehru family.”

He was the icon during the emergency, imposed by Indira Gandhi.

Social activist and former Samata Party President Jaya Jaitly said, “He had expressed his wished earlier to be cremated but during his last days, he said he wanted to be buried. So, we will cremate the body and bury the ashes, to fulfil both his wishes.”

She said last rites will be held tomorrow.

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) January 29, 2019