State politicians remember Fernandes as ‘fiery’ leader

Mumbai: Several prominent leaders of the state paid homage to former Union minister George Fernandes describing him as a ‘fiery’ leader and shared memories with him.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that apart from various achievements by Mr Fernandes, he was a trade Union leader first who fought for the welfare and rights of workers and the poor. “He also served as defence minister in Atalji’s government. We lost a strong, visionary, dedicated and committed leader. This rare leader will be remembered forever. My deepest condolences to his friends and lakh of followers... #GeorgeFernandes,” Mr Fadnavis tweeted.

Describing him as an ‘unflinching leader’ who gave new strength and direction to the workers’ movement in India, NCP president Sharad Pawar said he has lost a ‘close friend’. Mr Pawar also posted pictures along with the tweets, with one frame showing him, Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and Mr Fernandes together. Politically at odds, Mr Pawar, Mr Fernandes and Mr Thackeray were known to have shared a deep personal bond. Known to be a fiery trade Union leader, Mr Fernandes came to Mumbai in 1949 and became a ‘Mumbaikar’, Mr Pawar said.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray paid homage to Mr Fernandes by drawing a cartoon, which depicted that the once ‘bandh samrat’ has now become quiet.

Union minister and Dalit leader Ramdas Athawale described the death of Mr Fernandes as the ‘dissension of a star of the socialist movement.’