Ram Vilas Paswan Paswan (74) died Thursday in a Delhi hospital. (File)
New Delhi:
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Friday that the country had lost one of the greatest Dalit and socialist leaders to Ram Vilas Paswan.
Mr Paswan (74), Union Minister of Consumer, Food and Public Distribution, died Thursday in a Delhi hospital, days after undergoing heart surgery.
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi also paid his last respects to the missing leader and visited him.
Mr Gandhi said Mr Paswan made the voice of the most marginalized sections of society heard and left a lasting imprint on politics and public service both in Bihar and in the country.
In a letter to Chirag Paswan, son of the late Union Minister, Manmohan Singh described him as an important Dalit face in central government.
“In his death our country lost one of its greatest Dalit and socialist leaders, who has always championed the cause of the poor and oppressed in society,” Singh said in condolences.
“Ram Vilas Paswan ji was a very prominent Dalit face in central government, many parties. I have very warm memories of my association with Shri Paswan ji as a member of the UPA government that I led in 2004.
“Veteran socialist leader Paswan ji was also a very effective administrator who worked very closely with me as Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and also served as Minister in various ministries, ”said the former Prime Minister.
Mr Singh said Mr Paswan was a mass leader, which is evident from the fact that he won the parliamentary election with a record majority in his constituency.
He said Mr. Paswan was also a leader who was loved and respected by everyone he came into contact with, regardless of their political leniency.
Rahul Gandhi, in a letter to Chirag Paswan, said he was deeply saddened by the sudden disappearance of his father.
“We have lost a veteran leader who left a lasting imprint on politics and public service in Bihar and our nation.
“In an illustrious public life spanning more than five decades, he has been the voice of the most marginalized sections of our society and defended the rights of the poor and vulnerable,” he said in his letter.
Mr. Gandhi said that as a Member of Parliament and Minister of the Union, Mr. Paswan passionately expressed the interests and concerns of the poor.
“His unwavering commitment to social justice and equality is particularly relevant in these times. His enduring legacy will continue to inspire those dedicated to public service,” added the congressman.
