By IANS,
New Delhi : Political leaders Tuesday expressed shock and grief at the demise of union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and remembered him as an amiable, warm-hearted leader who had the cause of farmers and youth as his primary focus.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prakash Javadekar said people were hoping that Deshmukh would recover from illness following his admittance to a Chennai hospital.
“It is a very sad news. He was warm-hearted and cheerful and always ready for helping (others). He had a vision for Maharashtra and was equally concerned about farmers and youngsters,” Javadekar said.
Minister of State for Science and Technology Ashwani Kumar said Deshmukh was a great human being.
“He was very unwell. We were hoping for his recovery. I am saddened, shocked,” he said.
Describing Deshmukh as “a true Congressman” and a “party stalwart”, Ashwani Kumar said the late leader had a great ability to connect with people.
Ashwani Kumar, who worked as deputy to Deshmukh in the science and technology ministry, said he never strayed from loyalty to the party.
Congress MP Girija Vyas said Deshmukh was a polite person and was quick in taking decisions.
Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan said it was “very unfortunate to lose such a promising leader at a young age.”
She said Deshmukh’s son Riteish “was very, very close” to her family.
Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav said Deshmukh’s demise had caused a lot of pain.
“I pay tributes from countrymen, from NDA (National Democratic Alliance),” he said.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel said Deshmukh had started his career as a sarpanch and became a minister, chief minister and union minister.
“He had a long journey in public life. He was a big leader, a wise leader. He knew all parts of Maharashtra very well. It is great loss for the country and big loss for Maharashtra,” Patel said.
Deshmukh died in Chennai Tuesday following illness. He was 67.