On Monday, a former Union minister and a senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes died at a private hospital in Mangaluru. He was 80.
On July 18, Fernandes was taken to Yenepoya hospital, as he suffered a fall while doing his regular exercise, during exercise Fernandes lost his balance and got hit against the wall. After the accident, he was in undergoing treatment as it is said that he had got a clot in his brain.
Fernandes was the Cabinet minister for transport, road, and highways in the Congress-led UPA government. He was also in charge of the ministry of labour and employment. Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily gave his condolences to Fernandes’ family, stating that he had “lost a personal friend, the nation has lost a great leader and the party has lost a devoted leader.”
“Extremely saddened by the demise of @INCIndia stalwart Shri Oscar Fernandes. An irreplaceable mentor & hardworking organizational leader, Oscar Ji contributed immensely towards the betterment of the nation & the party. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends & followers,” the Congress party wrote on Twitter.
We are deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Oscar Fernandes ji, our heartfelt condolences to his family.
A Congress stalwart, his vision for an inclusive India had a huge influence on the politics of our times.
The Congress family will deeply miss his mentorship & guidance. pic.twitter.com/UXcLI765yP
— Congress (@INCIndia) September 13, 2021
“Saddened by the demise of Rajya Sabha MP Shri Oscar Fernandes Ji. In this sad hour, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and well-wishers. May his soul rest in peace,” the PM wrote on Twitter condoling the veteran Congressman’s demise.
Saddened by the demise of Rajya Sabha MP Shri Oscar Fernandes Ji. In this sad hour, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and well-wishers. May his soul rest in peace: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2021
During the late 1980s before Fernandes has been the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, and in 1983 he was appointed as the Joint Secretary of the All India Congress Committee. He was also a five-time Lok Sabha MP between 1983 and 1997, in April 1998 he was called for the Rajya Sabha.
