‘A man of the people’

President A P J Abdul Kalam: “Veteran parliamentarian, secularist and socialist known for his convictions to the principles he believed in.... The country has lost a personality who contributed to nation building.”

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat: “He was an exceptional politician with distinct virtues of public service.... The country has lost a nation builder and a legendary personality.”

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: “...a truly secular nationalist, a man of the people, committed to their welfare and well-being. He belonged to a generation that felt deeply about the importance of ideals and idealism in politics”

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee: “I had the privilege of being his colleague in Parliament for over three decades. I know the void created by his demise is very difficult to fill”

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi: “He had several qualities but what stood out was his unique nature to express his views without fear and hesitation”

Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee: “He was a friend of friends who lived in politics on his own terms. He had the natural tendency to raise his voice against injustice”

BJP National President Rajnath Singh: “Political warrior who had never compromised on his ideology”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati: “It was a loss which can never be filled. It was a loss not only for the country but also for the state of Uttar Pradesh”

... contd.