Former Union Minister and one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Jaswant Singh, passed away on Sunday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 82.
Singh, a former Army officer, had been ill after a fall at his home in August 2014 and was admitted to the Army Research and Referral Hospital.
He had been in and out of the hospital and was admitted again on June 25 this year and was being treated for Sepsis with Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome.
Major Jaswant Singh (Retd), former Cabinet Minister, passed away at 6:55 am today. He was admitted on 25 June & was being treated for Sepsis with Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome. He had a cardiac arrest this morning. His COVID status is negative: Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi pic.twitter.com/GEi404GbQj
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2020
"It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Hon'ble Major Jaswant Singh (Retd), former Cabinet Minister of Government of India at 0655 hours on 27 September 2020. He was admitted on 25 Jun 2020 and being treated for Sepsis with Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome and effects of Severe Head Injury old (Optd) had a Cardiac arrest this morning," the hospital said in a statement.
Despite the best efforts of the attending team of specialists to resuscitate him, he could not be revived and passed away, it added.
His funeral will take place later today at Jodhpur in Rajasthan, family sources said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condoled the death of the former Union Minister in the Vajpayee cabinet and acknowledged his efforts in strengthening the party in Rajasthan.
"Jaswant Singh ji 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," Singh said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said, "Jaswant Singh Ji served our nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics. During Atal Ji’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 PM also spoke with Singh's son Manvendra and expressed condolences.
Singh, considered close to Vajpayee and veteran leader L K Advani, held defence, finance and external affairs portfolios in the Vajpayee government.
He had fought the 2014 Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate after the BJP did not give him ticket, but lost.
(THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS)