AHMEDABAD, Jan 15: Gulzarilal Nanda, twice interim Prime Minister, freedom fighter and veteran Gandhian died today in Ahmedabad of respiratory complications following prolonged illness. He was to complete 100 years on July 4. His end came at 4 pm today at the residence of his daughter Dr Pushpa Naik. He is survived by a daughter and two sons.According to family members, Nanda was critically ill since last three days and was on oxygen.
Nanda will be given a state funeral here tomorrow. The details of the funeral are being worked out. Vice President Krishna Kant has already rushed to Ahmedabad.
Nanda became interim prime minister twice-once after Nehru's death in 1964, and again after Lal Bahadur Shastri's death in 1966.
President K R Narayanan expressed grief on the passing away of Nanda. In a message he said, ``In the passing away of the veteran leader and freedom fighter, the nation has lost an irreplaceable link with the Gandhian age of struggle and sacrifice.''
Prime Minister I K Gujral in his
condolence message said Nanda was one of the foremost disciple of Mahatma Gandhi who practised what he preached.
``Nandaji's crusade against corruption has to be carried forward to re-establish probity in public life,'' Gujral said in the message.
Describing the former PM as an embodiment of self-less service, Gujral said in Nanda's death the country has lost a ``great son'' who enriched the public life of this country in varied ways.
State Chief Minister Dilip Parikh while offering floral tribute to Nanda said people should emulate from the life of this true Gandhian.
Number of trade union leaders, sadhus, Gujarat Pradesh Congress president C D Patel and senior party leader Prabodh Rawal and former Union minister Urmilaben Patel were prominent among those who paid floral tributes.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
