Six years after a head injury he suffered from a fall at his home that confined him to the hospital bed, former Union Minister Jaswant Singh, a close associate of ex-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died here on Sunday. He was 82.
A former Army officer, Singh had been ill following the accident since August 2014. He had been in and out of the Army Research and Referral Hospital since then. Three months ago, he was back to the hospital — for one last time.
“It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Major Jaswant Singh (Retd), former Cabinet Minister of Government of India at on September 27, 2020. He was admitted on June 25, 2020 and being treated for Sepsis with Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome and effects of Severe Head Injury old (Optd) had a cardiac arrest this morning,” the hospital said in a statement.
Singh fell out with the BJP leadership prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and was denied the ticket. He went on to fight the election as an Independent candidate and lost. Three months later, he met with what would turn out to be a fatal accident.
Born on January 3, 1938, in Jasol village of Barmer district, Rajasthan, Singh did his study at the prestigious Mayo College and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. At the age of 19, he joined a cavalry regiment of the Indian Army. After serving in the defence services for eight years, he resigned from his commission in 1965 to take a plunge into politics.
He didn’t have much success in his initial years in politics and had to wait till 1980 when the fledgling BJP sent him to the Rajya Sabha. From then on it was an uninterrupted stay in Parliament — five times as member of the Upper House and four times as Lok Sabha MP — till 2014.
An able administrator with few blemishes of the type that are associated with many leaders, Singh had to swallow the mortification of accompanying three terrorists — Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar and Masood Azhar — and escort the hijackers of the IC 814 aircraft to Kandahar in exchange for 175 passengers who were held hostage by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
His career, however, was also hit by controversy when he was in the Government during the Kandahar the hijacking of 1999.
In Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Government, Singh served as the Finance Minister, Foreign Minister and Defence Minister. He was the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. As the Foreign Minister, he became instrumental in taking up India's case for the removal of US sanctions after the nuclear tests in Pokhran. Singh shared close personal friendship with Madeline Albright, US Secretary of State in the Clinton Administration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders paid rich tributes to Singh. Modi said Singh served India diligently and will be remembered for his unique perspective on matters of politics and society.
The PM later spoke to Singh’s son Manvendra to convey his condolences.
Modi said, “Singh served our nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics. During Atal’s Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of finance, defence and external affairs. Saddened by his demise.”
Singh, considered close to Vajpayee and veteran leader L K Advani, held defence, finance and external affairs portfolios in the Vajpayee Government.
In his message, Modi added, “Singh will be remembered for his unique perspective on matters of 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.”
Expressing his anguish, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Singh served the nation in several capacities and distinguished himself as an effective Minister and parliamentarian
“Singh would be remembered for his intellectual capabilities and stellar record in service to the nation. He also played a key role in strengthening the BJP in Rajasthan. Condolences to his family and supporters in this sad hour. Om Shanti,” Singh said.
