This meeting of the Congress Working Committee expresses its profound sorrow and grief at the sudden passing away of Shri Rajesh Pilot, Member of Parliament and Member of C.W.C., in a tragic car accident yesterday, while he was returning from a visit to his constituency, Dausa, near Jaipur.

The cruel fate has removed Shri Rajesh Pilot, a promising and an upcoming leader of the next generation, from amongst us and from the political scene of the country at a time when his presence was needed the most. He was bold, clear in mind and always gave expression to his thoughts keeping uppermost, in his mind the interest of the nation. Known for his outspokenness, Mr. Pilot’s candid utterances were never aimed at any individual. He was a man of principle, who touched the hearts of people with whatever he did and wherever he went. A popular politician with a large mass following, it was the welfare of the people that always guided him in his actions.

Shri Rajesh Pilot, was born in a small village near Ghaziabad, (U.P.), in a family with a defence background. He grew up to join the Indian Air Force as a pilot and gave up his flying career after 15 years to join active politics. He entered parliament in 1980 and got re-elected to the Lok sabha in 1984 and subsequently to the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Lok Sabha. From his humble origin, Shri Rajesh Pilot rose to become a national leader in his own right. He left an indelible imprint as an able parliamentarian and administrator.

Shri Pilot remained a minister at the Centre from 1985 to 1989 and 1991 to 1996 holding the portfolios of Transport, Communication, Internal Security and the Environment. Whatever task he undertook, he discharged his responsibilities to the satisfaction of the people of India. His efforts in resolving problems in Kashmir and North-Eastern parts of the country speak amply of his capabilities as a statesman. He had been a C.W.C. member since 1992 and held out hopes for the new generation in the difficult days ahead. His untimely death is not a loss to the Congress party alone but also to the entire nation. The void created in the public life by his death is difficult to fill. The nation will remember with gratitude his contribution into the new millennium.

The CWC mourns at his death and conveys its sincerest condolences to the members of his bereaved family and thousands of his admirers all over the country.

The following members of the CWC, PCC presidents and Chief Ministers attended the condolence meeting on sad demise of Mr. Rajesh Pilot. Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr. Ahmed Patel, Mr. Jitendra Prasad, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, Mr. R.K. Dhawan, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mr. Oscar Fernandes, Mr. K. Natwar Singh, Mr. Motilal Vora, Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde, Mrs. Mohsina Kidwai, Mrs. Ambika Soni, Mrs, Prabha Rau, Mrs. Motamma, Mr. Sitaram Kesri, Mr. Bhajan Lal, Mr. P.M. Sayeed, Mr. Salman Khurshid, Mr. Ashok Gehlot, Mrs. Girija Vyas, Mrs. Sheila Dikshit and Mr. Subhash Chopra.