Former union minister and veteran Congress leader Oscar Fernandes has passed away.
Oscar Fernandes breathed his last at the age of 80 at Mangaluru in Karnataka on Monday.
Fernandes served as Union Road Transport Minister in the UPA government.
Oscar Fernandes was regarded to be a close aide of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Fernandes had also served as a parliamentary secretary to former PM Rajiv Gandhi.
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Oscar Fernandes was being treated at the ICU of Yenepoya Hospital in Mangaluru since July.
His health condition was stated to be critical after suffering injuries after an accidental fall while doing yoga.
For the first time he was elected to the 7th Lok Sabha in 1980 from Udupi constituency.
From the same constituency, Oscar was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1984, 1989, 1991 and 1996.
Saddened by the demise 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: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2021
My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Shri Oscar Fernandes Ji.
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. pic.twitter.com/NZVD592GSJ
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 13, 2021
Anguished by the passing away of Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader, Shri Oscar Fernandes. Condolences to his family, friends and supporters. Om Shanti!
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 13, 2021
Deeply saddened to hear about demise of our senior leader and former Union Minister Shri Oscar Fernandes.
This is a huge loss for the Congress party.
My heartfelt condolences to his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/vMqrrd1vrt— Ripun Bora (@ripunbora) September 13, 2021
Oscar Fernandes was one of the nicest of politicians and finest of human beings I have ever known. The staunchest of Congressmen, he started his political journey by defeating the redoubtable T.A. Pai in the 1980 Lok Sabha elections. (1/4)
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 13, 2021