By IANS,
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday condoled the death of former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, saying he excelled in all positions he held and his persona was one of rare charisma.
In a message to his wife Suraj Kanwar Shekhawat, the prime minister said: “Shekhawatji excelled in all positions he held. His three tenures as the chief minister of Rajasthan will be remembered for his sympathy and sensitivity to the problems of the poor and the disadvantaged and his administrative acumen. As the vice president of our country he worked to uphold our constitution and our secular ethos.”
Manmohan Singh said Shekhawat was one of the tallest leaders that Rajasthan has produced.
“His life epitomized hard work and commitment to the public cause. His early years were difficult. Poverty forced him to quit school after which he found a job as a police constable. Indeed, it is a tribute to his leadership qualities that he overcame the disadvantages of his early life to carve out a sterling career in public service.
“Shekhawatji’s persona was one of rare charisma. Together with a few others, he defined a whole era in the Bharatiya Janata Party. His many qualities of head and heart included a liberal outlook and generosity of spirit. As a social worker and a public figure, he always stood up for his principles. It was an exceptional courage of conviction which led him to condemn the 1982 Deorala incident of Sati at a time when few in his party and State were willing to speak out against it,” the prime minister said.
“The void that Shekhawatji has left behind will be very difficult to fill,” Manmohan Singh said.
The national flag flew at half mast across the country Saturday as a mark of respect to Shekhawat. It will fly at half mast in Rajasthan on Sunday too.