Political leaders pay rich tributes to Manohar Parrikar 

Manohar Parrikar (December 13, 1955–March 17, 2019)  

Goa chief minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar, who was suffering from pancreatic cancer for the past one year, passed away, on Sunday, at his home in Panaji at the age of 63. Parrikar’s death has triggered a wave of emotions in netizens in India, who took to social media to express their thoughts on the former defence minister, who was known for his simplicity and affable nature.

Political leaders, cutting across party lines, took to Twitter to pay their tributes to Parrikar.

President Ram Nath Kovind broke the news officially on Twitter. He said Parrikar was “an epitome of integrity and dedication in public life and his service to the people of Goa and of India will not be forgotten.”

Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa, after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity. An epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to the people of Goa and of India will not be forgotten#PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 17, 2019

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu tweeted that in Parrikar’s passing, the nation in general and Goa in particular “lost its proud son”.

In his passing, the nation in general and Goa in particular lost its proud son.
My heartfelt condolences to the members of his bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.#Parrikar

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) March 17, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that Parrikar was the builder of modern Goa “His policies ensured Goa scales remarkable heights of progress.”  

Shri Manohar Parrikar was the builder of modern Goa. Thanks to his affable personality and accessible nature, he remained the preferred leader of the state for years. His pro-people policies ensured Goa scales remarkable heights of progress.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 17, 2019

Rahul Gandhi, Congress president, tweeted that he was “deeply saddened” by the news.

I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Goa CM, Shri Manohar Parrikar Ji, who bravely battled a debilitating illness for over a year.

Respected and admired across party lines, he was one of Goa’s favourite sons.

My condolences to his family in this time of grief.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi)March 17, 2019

Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal chief minister, and Trinamool Congress chief, while extending her condolences to Parrikar’s family and admirers, said the Goa chief minister “patiently endured his illness”.

Saddened at the passing away of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar ji. He patiently endured his illness. Condolences to his family and his admirers

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial)March 17, 2019

Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi chief minister, and Aam Aadmi Party chief, said Parrikar was a “symbol of simplicity in politics who led a humble life”.

Extremely saddened at the news of passing away of Goa CM Sh Manohar Parrikar ji. A symbol of simplicity in politics who led a humble life is no longer with us. May his family bear the irreparable loss with courage. Prayers with them

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal)March 17, 2019

Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief,  tweeted in Hindi and said “may his soul rest in peace”

लंबे वक्त से बीमार चल रहे गोवा के मुख्यमंत्री श्री मनोहर पर्रिकर जी का जाना दुखद! ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति एवं परिवार को शक्ति दे। राजनीतिक जीवन में उनका योगदान सदैव स्मरणीय रहेगा। शत् शत् नमन!

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh)March 17, 2019

Mayawati, Bahujan Samaj Party chief, said, “The news of Goa chief minister’s demise was extremely saddening”

गोवा के मुख्यमंत्री व पूर्व रक्षा मंत्री श्री मनोहर परिकर के निधन की खबर अति-दुखःद है। वे कुशल राजनीतिज्ञ थे। बीमार चलने के बावजूद वे अपनी सरकारी जिम्मेदारी को निभाते रहे। श्री परिकर उत्तर प्रदेश से राज्यसभा सांसद व 4 बार गोवा के मुख्यमंत्री बने। उनके परिवार के प्रति गहरी संवेदना

— Mayawati (@Mayawati)March 18, 2019

Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh chief minister, said Parrikar’s death was untimely.

Deepest condolences over the untimely death of former Defence Minister and Chief Minister of Goa Shri Manohar Parrikar. May his soul rest in peace. May God give strength and support to the bereaved family at this saddest hour.

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn)March 17, 2019

_{[This story has been updated at 8.45pm, March 18, 2019.]}

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