New Delhi, Jan 29: Former defence minister of India, George Fernandes passed away today morning following a prolonged illness. He was 88. He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Recently, he contracted swine flu, his family sources said.
Fernandes held the defence ministry portfolio from 2001 to 2004 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. Apart from defence, he also held the portfolios of communications, industry and railways under various governments.
He was a key member of the Janata Dal and later founded the Samata Party in 1994, which later merged with Janata Dal (United).
Fernandes was a senior member in Morarji Desai's cabinet when the Janata Party took office in 1977. He also held the portfolio of Union railways minister from 1989 to 1990 under the leadership of the then Prime Minister VP Singh.
Fernandes was the Defence Minister when India conducted its second nuclear test in Pokhran in May 1998. He also stoutly defended the Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter that earned the sobriquet of “Flying Coffin” because of high accident rates, be becoming the first defence minister to fly in those Russian origin combat jets.
As a defence minister, Fernandes was also famous for his frequent trips to Siachen where he mingled freely with the soldiers. However, in the later part of his tenure as the defence minister, he was caught in the “coffin scam”, triggering his boycott by Congress-led opposition in the Parliament.
Known as a fire-brand trade union leader Fernandes burst into national politics with his surprise victory in the 1967 Parliamentary election, defeating a Congress veteran. He was arrested during the emergency era and is famous for giving out one of the most memorable speeches in the Parliament in the late 1970s.
"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," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
“I am sorry to hear about the passing away of former Parliamentarian and Union Minister George Fernandes’ji. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief,” says Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a message.
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