The Hindu : PM, Sonia condole Maran's death

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 24, 2003

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National

PM, Sonia condole Maran's death

By Neena Vyas

File picture of the Union Minister, Murasoli Maran, with the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

NEW DELHI NOV. 23. The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has described the death of the Union Minister, Murasoli Maran, as a "personal loss".

Mr. Vajpayee, who is campaigning for the Assembly elections in Rajasthan, telephoned Mr. Maran's son, Dayanidhi Maran, to convey his condolences to the family.

In her condolence message to the deceased leader' son, Kalanidhi Maran, the Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi, said: "He was an able leader, loved widely by the people of Tamil Nadu. I convey my sincerest condolences to you and other members of the family and pray that you are given the strength to bear this great loss."

File picture of the Union Minister, Murasoli Maran, with the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president, M. Karunanidhi.

The BJP president, Venkaiah Naidu, described Mr. Maran as a "dedicated, and ideologically-committed leader and an able administrator." He was "one of the best Ministers in the National Democratic Alliance Government." Also, "credit goes to him for taking the World Trade Organisation discussions on the right track from day one... His demise was not only a loss to Tamil Nadu but to the entire nation." Moreover, "he was a close friend of mine," Mr. Naidu added.

The Law Minister, Arun Jaitley, who now holds additional charge of the Commerce portfolio, headed by Mr. Maran before his illness, said: "Mr. Maran's contribution in the sphere of Commerce and Industry had been immense, especially in the sphere of multilateral trade negotiations. He left an indelible imprint with his brilliant performance as the leader of the Indian team at the Doha ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation. He articulated Indian concerns forcefully and he was a constant source of inspiration and guidance for me at the multilateral trade forums, including the recent ministerial conference at Cancun."

Sharad Yadav, Janata Dal (United) leader and Cabinet Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, who was also in Rajasthan today, said his association with Mr. Maran was a "personal one" and that he would deeply feel the loss.

"Mr. Maran's contribution to public life at the national level and in Tamil Nadu will long be remembered."

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