George Fernandes, Former Defence Minister passes away

SMTV Desk 2019-01-29 10:41:59

New Delhi, Jan 29: Former defence minister George Fernandes(88-year-old) died on Tuesday morning in Delhi. He was 88 years old. He had been unwell and was bedridden over the past few years.

George Fernandes served as Defence Minister between 1998 and 2004. One of the most prominent leaders of the socialist movement in the 1970s, George Fernandes was a senior Janata Dal leader before he founded the Samata Party.

Apart from the defence ministry during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, Fernandes held several ministerial portfolios including communications, industry and railways.

Condoling his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted

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

Born on June 3 1930, George Fernandes was at the age of 16 sent to train as a priest but his calling was different. He moved to Bombay in 1949 and got involved in the socialist trade union movement.

Known to be a firebrand unionist and a fiery orator, he organized many strikes and bandhs there. George Fernandes was a parliamentarian last as a Rajya Sabha member in 2009-2010.