Indian Army Research and Referral hospital in Delhi stated that Former Union Minister Jaswant Singh had a cardiac arrest on Sunday morning.His Covid status was negative. He was 82 years old at the time of demise
“Despite the best efforts of the attending team of specialists to resuscitate him, he could not be revived and passed away at 6.55 a.m. on September 27 2020.”
The hospital stated that Major Jaswant Singh (Retd), former Cabinet Minister of Government of India was admitted on June 25, 2020 and was being treated for Sepsis with Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome and effects of severe head injury old (Optd).
His last major position was as Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha from 2004 to 2009.
He was denied a ticket by the party to contest the 2014 Lok Sabha Parliamentary Elections from the Barmer-Jaisalmer constituency in Rajasthan.
He was subsequently expelled from the BJP after deciding to contest the elections as an independent candidate, and lost to his former party’s candidate Col. Sonaram Choudhary.
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Jaswant Singh was one among the TOP 5 leaders in BJP decision making during Vajpayee regime in 1999 – 2004
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[splco_spoiler title=”Jaswant Jinnah Praise Controversy made him to Expel from Primary membership of BJP ” style=”fancy” icon=”caret-square”]A controversy erupted immediately after the release of his book, “A Call to Honour,” in which Singh insinuated that a mole had existed in the Prime Ministerial Office during the tenure of P. V. Narasimha Rao, who had leaked information to U.S. sources about India’s nuclear tests. Soon after, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh challenged him to name the mole. In response, Singh sent a letter to him. The letter, Manmohan Singh said later, had no signature, and no name of any mole. Jaswant Singh then backed off, saying his views on the subject were based on a “hunch”. Controversy hovered around him again when on 17 August 2009 another book authored by him, entitled Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence, was released. In this he praised Mohammad Ali Jinnah and claimed that the centralised policy of Jawaharlal Nehru was responsible for Partition. He was later expelled from the primary membership of BJP as a result of the ensuing controversy. In interviews with media he quoted BJP as narrow-minded and to have limited thought. In 2010, he was readmitted to BJP.[/splco_spoiler]
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Hearing about the demise of Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he served nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics.
“During Atalji’s Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of finance, defence and external affairs. Saddened by his demise,” the Prime Minister took social media to convey his message.
He also said that 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,” said Modi adding that he spoke to his son Manvendra Singh and expressed condolences on the unfortunate demise.
“True to his nature, Jaswantji fought his illness with immense courage for the last six years,” Modi said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Jaswant 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,” the minister said.
Singh expressed his condolence on social media. The Defence Minister said that he was deeply pained by the passing away of veteran BJP leader and former minister. “He served the nation in several capacities including the charge of Raksha Mantri. He distinguished himself as an effective Minister and Parliamentarian,” Singh said.
Jaswant Singh held Defence, External Affairs and Finance portfolios in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government. He was one of the founder members of the BJP.
His wife is Sheetal Kumari and son Manvendra Singh . In 2014 Manvendra was suspended from BJP because of his campaign against BJP Lok Sabha candidate from his father’s constituency.
Just before 2018 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly elections Manvendra quit BJP to join Indian National Congress.
