George Fernandes, the former Defence Minister of India, passed away, on the 29th of January.
Mr. Fernandes, 88 years old, was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for a long time. He reportedly contracted swine flu during the last few days of his life. He last served as a Rajya Sabha member between August 2009 and July 2010.
George Fernandes started his political career in the year 1949 and became a trade union leader in Bombay. Later, George served as the Defence Minister of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister of India, between 1998 and 2004. He also served as the Communications Minister, Industry Minister and Railways Minister.
George, during early 1967, contested the Parliamentary elections for the South Bombay (South Mumbai) constituency and defeated S.K. Patil, a nominee from the Indian National Congress (INC.) George also contested the Muzaffarpur elections from jail and won in Bihar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders took to Twitter and expressed their condolences to Mr. George’s family.
The man from Mangalore who won Lok Sabha polls from Muzzaffarpur. Emergency hero. RIP #GeorgeFernandes pic.twitter.com/hoBuhBAuxs
— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) January 29, 2019
Heartfelt tributes to #GeorgeFernandes . May his soul RIP 🙏Om Shanti. The 4 pics show his vast political career. Anti-Emergency crusader to Pokhran N-blast to Kargil war hero to Anti- Congress voice. He was a die hard #Samajwadi leader. He lived a very humble life. pic.twitter.com/QflA7SnrE4
— Sumit Awasthi (@awasthis) January 29, 2019
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
