TRIBUTE

Bright Political Career Cut Short : President
People from all walks of life covering the entire political spectrum paid rich tributes to Shri Madhavrao Scindia.

A bright political career and promising leadership was cut short in the prime by this gruesome crash, said the President of India, Mr. K.R. Narayanan. "A man of youthful vigour and dynamic vision, Shri Madhavrao Scindiajee, was one of the brightest stars in our political firmament. It is impossible to believe that he is no more. He had much more to contribute to India. I pay my respectful and affectionate homage to his memory".

The Vice-President, Mr. Krishan Kant, said "Mr. Scindia was a truly mass leader who enjoyed the unreserved support and affection of the people whom he served with boundless zeal and commitment. He was respected by his colleagues and political opponents alike for his deep sense of values, character and patriotism, besides his knowledge, experience and his capacity for sober reflection."

The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, said : "Vajrapaat ho gaya. Kya kaal itna bhi kroor ho sakta hai. Mera Naman (It was a big blow. Can destiny be so cruel! My salutation)." Despite belonging to a royal family, Mr. Scindia had established himself as a popular leader with a charismatic appeal.

The senior Congress leader and CWC member, Shri N.D. Tiwari, said "The ever-inspiring memory of Shri Madhavrao Scindia will always remain with us and the coming generations of the country as an outstanding personality whose multi-fold contribution to the polity of the country and society will remain unforgetable. His dedication to the Congress ideals and organisation was total and his untimely demise is irreparable."

The senior Congress leader, Mr. Arjun Singh, who was away in Germany, said that "the country has lost a promising and dynamic leader. For the Congress it is an irreparable loss".

The senior Congress leader, Mr. Ahmed Patel, described Mr. Scindia as a dynamic person who used to respond to every call. "Even the common man felt at ease with him and he gave due hearing and also followed up with action whenever any grievance was brought to his attention".

Mr. Kamal Nath M.P, CWC member, said the country and the Congress party have lost a dynamic leader with great promise.

The Delhi Chief Minister, Mrs. Sheila Dixit, said "the Congress had lost a beloved leader, an able administrator and a fine politician. Mr. Scindia had left a great mark, specially in the civil aviation sector."

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Digvijay Singh, said, "I am shocked. I don’t have words to express my feelings. The country has lost a bright political personality who had given a new direction to social service, development and polity."

The senior Congress leader and AICC Treasurer, Mr. Motilal Vora, said, "The services rendered by Shri Scindia as a member, minister and a Parliamentarian will be long remembered. The Congress has lost an able MP and a leader in the House who debated every subject seriously and would only answer after gathering full knowledge of the subject. As railway minister Shri Scindia brought progress in the working of the railways and his tenure as a Railway Minister will be remembered as the ‘Golden Era’. He was an outspoken person and would generously help each and everyone who came to him."

Senior Congress leaders Anil Shastri, Oscar Fernandes, Salman Khursheed, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni, Major Ved Prakash, Girija Vyas, Ashok Gehlot were among others who paid handsome tributes to Shri Scindia.