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Leaders mourn Chandra Shekhar’s death

Special Correspondent

I am saddened, says Kalam; he was a fearless sentinel of democratic values: Shekhawat

He steered nation through stormy waters: Manmohan
An era of struggle in Indian politics has ended: Vajpayee

. — Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

DEEPLY MOVED: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pays homage to the former Prime Minister, Chandra Shekhar, in New Delhi on Sunday. The elder son of the late leader, Pankaj, is at right

NEW DELHI: Leaders from across the political spectrum mourned the passing away of the former Prime Minister, Chandra Shekhar.

A “saddened” President A.P. J Abdul Kalam described Mr. Chandra Shekhar a veteran Parliamentarian, secularist and a socialist known for his conviction to the principles he believed in. His services to the nation would always be remembered, Mr. Kalam said.

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said in the country had lost a “messiah of the poor, an embodiment of secularism and a fearless sentinel of democratic values and traditions.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who visited Mr. Chandra Shekhar in hospital on Saturday, said he was deeply moved by the courage with which the former Prime Minister fought his illness and soldiered on.

“Secular nationalist”

Describing the former socialist leader “a truly secular nationalist,” Dr. Singh said Mr. Chandra Shekhar, during his brief tenure as Prime Minister, steered the nation and the economy through stormy waters with statesmanship and wisdom. “He was not afraid of taking unpopular decisions if these were in the larger national interest and served the nation in the long term.”

The former Prime Minister and senior BJP leader, Atal Bihari Vajyapee, said with the passing away of “the young turk,” an era of struggle in Indian politics had ended and a vacuum created in public life. “He was not only a warrior but also an able, talented and courageous politician, who lived and survived on his own terms. The country has lost an able politician and I, a close personal friend.”

Congress president Sonia Gandhi said he was an important leader who had a distinct identity. He had many qualities but what stood out was his ability to express his views on every issue without hesitation and fear. “The void his death has left in Indian politics would be felt for a long time.”

Describing him “secular,” Communist Party of India general secretary A.B. Bardhan said Mr. Chandra Shekharhe was extremely concerned at the adverse impact of globalisation during his last days.

“A true patriot”

The former President, R. Venkataraman, described him a “true patriot, who observed Gandhian ideals throughout his life.” Mr. Chandra Shekhar was committed to rural uplift, rural industries and Gandhian codes in public life, he said.

The former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, said Mr. Chandra Shekhar used to pursue what he thought was right even if it was against the trend. In his death, socialist and democratic forces in the country had lost their tallest leader.

Describing him the “Bhishmapitamah” of Indian politics, the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, said Mr. Chandra Shekhar not only led the nation during a turbulent period but also served as a beacon for the people and politicians across the political spectrum, pointing out their mistakes.

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said in the passing away of Mr. Chandra Shekhar, the country had lost a leader who stood for upholding the finest values of parliamentary democracy. Adding a personal note, Mr. Chatterjee said he had known the late leader for over three decades, and the void created by his demise would be very difficult to fill.

“Visionary, reformer”

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan said Mr. Chandra Sekhar was a “visionary, a reformer, a great scholar and statesman,” and one who had great interest in literature and art.

Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh said Mr. Chandra Shekhar was not just a former Prime Minister but also a towering personality, who enjoyed the respect of leaders across the political spectrum.

National Democratic Alliance convener George Fernandes, said Mr. Chandra Shekhar was an outstanding socialist and a great Parliamentarian.

Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said Mr. Chandra Shekhar epitomised the dictum of social life and high thinking through his personal example. Besides being a truly secular nationalist, he was deeply committed to the welfare of people. “In his death, the nation has become poorer by leaders, who had the wisdom, experience and vision for the onerous task of nation building.”

Home Minister Shivraj Patil said Mr. Chandra Shekhar was a friend of people, who received his help in times of need. Recalling his long association with the former Prime Minister, Mr. Patil said he was a warm-hearted human being.

Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party leader K. Yerran Naidu recalled the cross-country “padayatra” undertaken by Mr. Chandra Shekhar in the 1980s to highlight the problem of rural India.

An eight-time Member of Parliament, Mr. Chandra Shekhar represented the Samajwadi Janata Party from the Ballia Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

A post-graduate from Allahabad University, he was Prime Minister from November 1990 to March 1991.

A staunch socialist and a leading light of the “young Turks” of the Indira Gandhi era, Mr. Chandra Shekhar started his political carrier as a secretary of the Praja Socialist Party of Ballia district. In 1962, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha. In 1967, he was the general secretary of the Congress Parliamentary Party. In 1977, in the first election held after the Emergency, he was elected to the seventh Lok Sabha. He was president of the Janata Party from 1977 to 1978.

Mr. Chandra Shekhar was also Union Minster between 1989 and 1991. Even though he was a member of the central election committee and working committee of the All-India Congress Committee (Indira), he was arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act during the Emergency.

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