jaswant singh defence minister death news

New Delhi Former defence minister and BJP leader Jaswant Singh has passed away at 6.55 am today due to cardiac arrest. 82-year-old Jaswant Singh was in a coma for the past six years. He was admitted to the Army Hospital on 25 June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Défense Minister Rajnath Singh have expressed grief over his death.

Remembering him, PM Modi said, “Jaswant Singh Ji served our nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics. During Atal Ji’s Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of finance, defence and external affairs. Saddened by his demise.”. 

Jaswant Singh Ji served our nation diligently, first as a soldier and later during his long association with politics. During Atal Ji’s Government, he handled crucial portfolios and left a strong mark in the worlds of finance, defence and external affairs. Saddened by his demise.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2020

Jaswant Singh Ji will be remembered for his unique perspective on matters of politics and society. He also contributed to the strengthening of the BJP. I will always remember our interactions. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti. 

Jaswant Singh Ji will be remembered for his unique perspective on matters of politics and society. He also contributed to the strengthening of the BJP. I will always remember our interactions. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2020

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wrote on his death, ‘Deeply pained by the passing away of veteran BJP leader & former Minister, Shri Jaswant Singh ji. He served the nation in several capacities including the charge of Raksha Mantri. He distinguished himself as an effective Minister and Parliamentarian.’

Deeply pained by the passing away of veteran BJP leader & former Minister, Shri Jaswant Singh ji. He served the nation in several capacities including the charge of Raksha Mantri. He distinguished himself as an effective Minister and Parliamentarian.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 27, 2020

Shri Jaswant Singh Ji would be remembered for his intellectual capabilities and a stellar record in service to the nation. He also played a key role in strengthening the BJP in Rajasthan. Condolences to his family and supporters in this sad hour. Om Shanti.

Shri Jaswant Singh ji would be remembered for his intellectual capabilities and stellar record in service to the nation. He also played a key role in strengthening the BJP in Rajasthan. Condolences to his family and supporters in this sad hour. Om Shanti.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 27, 2020

When Jaswant Singh took in charge of The ministries of defence, foreign and finance

Jaswant Singh was elected to the Rajya Sabha for the first time in 1980. In the government headed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he held ministries like defence, foreign and finance between 1996 and 2004. In 1998, he was made foreign minister in the Vajpayee government. In 2000, he took over as the Defence Minister of India. In 2002, he was appointed Finance Minister in place of Yashwant Sinha. When out of power in 2004, Jaswant Singh served as the Leader of Opposition from 2004 to 2009.

4 times Lok Sabha and 5 times Rajya Sabha members

Jaswant Singh has been one of the longest-serving MPs in India, having held membership in either of the two houses consecutively between 1980 or 2014. He has been elected on a BJP ticket five times to the Rajya Sabha (1980, 1986, 1998, 1999, 2004) and four times to the Lok Sabha (1990, 1991, 1996, 2009). 

Former minister Jaswant Singh played an important role in 1999 in the hijack plane escape

Indian Airlines flight number IC-814 was hijacked and taken to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The Indian government had to leave three terrorists to save the passengers. The terrorists who were released included Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, Ahmed Umar Saeed Sheikh and Maulana Masood Azhar. Jaswant had gone to Kandahar regarding these terrorists. 

After nuclear tests in 1998, the US imposed strict restrictions on India. Then Jaswant spoke to America. 

During the Kargil war in 1999, his role was also important. 

Resigned from the post of Major in the Army in 1960 and entered the political arena

Jaswant Singh resigned from the post of Major in the Army in 1960 and entered the political arena. He was at the top of his career in the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.  

Jaswant's political career has gone through many ups and downs. In 1999, he was severely criticized for travelling to Kandahar with terrorists to rescue the passengers of the hijacked Air India aircraft. Jaswant Singh was always a confidant of Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the NDA rule. He was an important member of Vajpayee's team along with Brajesh Mishra and Pramod Mahajan. 

Fought elections in Darjeeling and won 

Later he was the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha till 2009 and contested and won from Darjeeling on the offer of the local parties who were fighting for Gorkhaland. Jaswant Singh also faced a situation when he was expelled from the BJP in August 2009 for praising Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah in his book 'Jinnah: Partition of India and Independence'. 

Once pulled out of BJP party, he left the party itself

In 2012, the BJP made him the Vice-Presidential candidate but lost to UPA's Hamid Ansari. In his book, Jaswant praised Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The BJP expelled him from the party. He returned in 2010. In 2014, the BJP did not give him the Lok Sabha ticket. The BJP fielded Colonel Sonaram Chaudhary from his Barmer seat. After this Jaswant again left the BJP. Independents contested but lost. This year he suffered a head injury. After this, Jaswant was in a coma.