Oscar Fernandes no more; leaders express condolences

Mangaluru/Bengaluru: Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, an MP, died at a private hospital here on Monday afternoon, family sources said. He was 80 and is survived by his wife and two children.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the death of the veteran Congress leader. "Saddened by the death of Rajya Sabha MP Shri Oscar Fernandes ji. In this sad hour, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and well wishers. May his soul rest in peace," the Prime Minister said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while offering his condolences to the family and friends of Fernandes, said his death was a personal loss for him. "It is a personal loss for me. He was a guide and mentor to many of us in the Congress party. He will be missed and fondly remembered for his contributions," he said in a tweet.

Fernandes was hospitalised in July after suffering a fall at his house while doing his regular exercise. As he was found to have an internal injury, a surgery was carried out by doctors. A close confidante of the Gandhi family, Fernandes had always remained a disciplined party man throughout his political life.

In his five decade long political career, Fernandes represented Udupi constituency in the Lok Sabha five times and was elected to the Rajya Sabha four times. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980, followed by wins from the same constituency in 1984, 1989, 1991 and 1996. He has been a Rajya Sabha member for four terms since 1998. He had served as Union Minister for Labour and Employment from 2006 to 2009 and had held different portfolios, including NRI affairs, Statistics and Programme Implementation in the UPA-II government led by Manmohan Singh.

Fernandes was also the chairman of the central election authority of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and AICC general secretary in 1996. He was president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) in the late eighties. He also served as Parliament Secretary to Rajiv Gandhi.

He was born on March 27, 1941 to Roque Fernandes and Leonissa Fernandes. He had his education at St Cecily's convent school, Board high school and in MGM College, Udupi. Fernandes began his political career by getting elected to Udupi municipality in 1972.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda expressed grief over the passing away of Fernandes. Expressing grief, Bommai said, "May his soul rest in peace. I pray that the almighty gives his family the strength to bear the loss." Former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader Deve Gowda said he was deeply pained on hearing about the death. Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said Fernandes has left his mark on national politics. "He was a simple and gentleman-politician," said the former Chief Minister.

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in a tweet, said, "Shocked by the demise of senior Congress leader & former minister Oscar Fernandes. My condolences to his family members and may his soul rest in peace." Stating that he was saddened to hear about the death, State Congress Chief D K Shivakumar said, "Serving the country and the party in various roles, Sri Fernandes will always be warmly remembered for his untiring dedication and vision." The State Congress held a condolence meeting at the party office.