Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders paid a rich tribute to Singh, saying he served India diligently and will be remembered for his unique perspective on political and social issues.
Singh, a former army officer, 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 and was admitted again in June of this year.
In a statement, the army hospital said: “Major Jaswant Singh (Retd), a former cabinet minister, passed away today at 6:55 am. He was admitted on June 25 and was being treated for sepsis with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome. . He was in cardiac arrest this morning. His Covid status is negative. ”
News of his death was tweeted by Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
“Deeply grieved by the passing of veteran BJP leader and former minister, Shri Jaswant Singh ji. He served the nation in various capacities, including the post of Raksha Mantri. He distinguished himself as an effective minister and parliamentarian,” Rajnath tweeted.
Shri Jaswant Singh ji would be remembered for his intellectual abilities and his stellar record in the service of the na… https://t.co/XOyFY9pVxO
– Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) 1601175368000
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a series of tweets, lamented the leader’s death.
“Jaswant Singh Ji served our nation diligently, first as a soldier and then during his long association with politics. During Atal Ji’s rule, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark on the world of finance, defense, and defense. external affairs. Saddened by his death, “he tweeted.
Prime Minister Modi recalled Jaswant Singh’s “unique” perspective on politics and society.
“He also contributed to the strengthening of the BJP. I will always remember our interactions. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” the prime minister tweeted.
I spoke with Shri Manvendra Singh and he expressed his condolences on the unfortunate passing of Shri Jaswant Singh Ji. True… https://t.co/oPt9zrO6Kl
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1601176539000
Jaswant Singh was a retired officer in the Indian Army and was one of the founding members of the Bhartiya Janata Party.
He held the defense, foreign affairs and finance portfolios in the various ministries of the Vajpayee government between 1996 and 2004.
He first served as Minister of Finance in the short-lived Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1996. He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in the next Vajpayee-led government (1998-2002). Later, he returned to the post of Ministry of Finance in 2002.
He was also Defense Minister following the resignation of George Fernandes after the latter’s name appeared in a defense scam.
In the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when the BJP failed to introduce him from his native Barmer constituency in Rajasthan, Jaswant Singh decided to fight the election as an independent against a candidate from his own party. He was expelled for refusing to remove his name.
(With inputs from agencies)
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