New Delhi: Former Union Minister and former BJP leader Jaswant Singh passed away, Sunday, September 27. He was 82.
“Jaswant Singh passed away at 6:55 am on Sunday. He was admitted on June 25 and was being treated for Sepsis with Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome,” the hospital where he was admitted said in a statement.
Condoling the demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Saddened By His Demise.”
He said the seasoned BJP leader “served our nation diligently first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics.”
“Jaswant Singh Ji served our nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics. During Atal Ji’s Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of finance, defence and external affairs. Saddened by his demise,” PM Modi’s tweet read.
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: “The demise of veteran soldier, outstanding parliamentarian, exceptional leader and intellectual Shri Jaswant Singh is distressing. He combined many difficult roles with ease and equanimity. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: “Deeply pained by the passing away of veteran BJP leader and former Minister, Shri Jaswant Singh ji. He served the nation in several capacities including the charge of Raksha Mantri. He distinguished himself as an effective Minister and Parliamentarian.”
A retired officer of the Indian Army, Singh was also one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
However, he was denied ticket by the BJP to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha Parliamentary Elections from the Barmer-Jaisalmer constituency in Rajasthan. He was later expelled from the party for deciding to contest the elections as an independent candidate. He lost to his former party’s candidate Col. Sonaram Choudhary.
Jaswant Singh was elected from Darjeeling Seat from the year 2009 to 2014.
He had been ill after a fall at his home in August 2014 and was admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital. He had been in and out of the hospital since and was admitted again in June this year.
