Chief ministers and leaders from several states Tuesday condoled the death of former union minister and socialist leader George Fernandes.
Fernandes, a lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included Cabinet posts in two ideological opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, died Tuesday. He was 88.
The former defence minister died here after suffering from a prolonged illness.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Fernandes had played an important role in shaping his political career and announced a two-day state mourning.
In 1996, the Kumar and Fernandes founded Samta Party had joined hands with the BJP and the electoral tie-up was a moderate success in the that year's Lok Sabha polls, but it paved the way for the formation of a broader National Democratic Alliance after three years.
Fernandes had also represented Muzaffarpur and Nalanda in the Lok Sabha.
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Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and other state political leaders expressed grief over the demise of Fernandes.
"I am saddened by the demise of Former Union Defence Minister #GeorgeFernandes. He has successfully played his part in demanding positions when the country needed him the most.A Socialist leader, important pillar of labour movements, #GeorgeFernandes was always a people's leader," JDS Supremo H D Deve Gowda said in a tweet.
Kumaraswamy remembered Fernandes for his contribution to the Konkan Railway project.
"...#GeorgeFernandes will be remembered by people of Karnataka for his contribution to the KonkanRailway project.May his soul rest in peace. My prayers are with his family," he tweeted.
In his condolence message, Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, Fernandes was like his "elder brother."
Condoling Fernandes' death, state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa called him the "voice of labourers and downtrodden."
In his condolence message Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, "Heartfelt condolence on the passing away of former defence minister George Fernandes. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May his soul rest in peace."
Gehlot's deputy Sachin Pilot said, Saddened to learn about the demise of George Fernandes former defence minister, My condolences to the family and prayers for the departed soul."
Former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah also paid tributes to Fernandes
In a tweet, Abdullah said, "Rest in peace George Fernandes Sahib. You were a tireless crusader fighting for the voiceless, the marginalised & for those that needed someone in their corner."
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