Manohar Parrikar Dies: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi among top leaders across party lines pay tributes

Leaders across party lines have paid their tributes to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who passed away at his private residence near Panaji on Sunday. He was 63. The BJP stalwart's health, which has been fluctuating for a year, took a turn for the worse in the past two days. President Ram Nath Kovind said he was an "epitome of integrity and dedication in public life".

 "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," the president posted on his official Twitter handle.

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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Parrikar was an "unparalleled leader".  "A true patriot and exceptional administrator, he was admired by all. His impeccable service to the nation will be remembered by generations. Deeply saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti." 

Shri Manohar Parrikar was an unparalleled leader.

A true patriot and exceptional administrator, he was admired by all. His impeccable service to the nation will be remembered by generations.

Deeply saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters.

Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/uahXme3ifp

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

BJP national president Amit Shah described Parrikar as a “true patriot”.

“Manohar Parrikar ji’s demise is extremely painful. In him, the nation has lost a true patriot who selflessely dedicated his entire life to the country and ideology. Parrikar ji’s commitment towards his people and duties was exemplary,” he Shah tweeted.

Manohar Parrikar ji’s demise is extremely painful. In him, the nation has lost a true patriot who selflessely dedicated his entire life to the country and ideology. Parrikar ji’s commitment towards his people and duties was exemplary.

— Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 17, 2019

Congress President Rahul Gandhi condoled the demise of Parrikar and described him as "one of Goa's favourite sons".

"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(sic)," Gandhi said on Twitter.

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

The Congress on its official Twitter handle also said: “We condole the passing of former Union Minister & Chief Minister @manoharparrikar. We hope that his family finds strength in their moment of grief.”

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said: “He (Goa CM Manohar Parrikar) was a good human being. His passing away has left a huge gap in politics; we have lost a good politician. His demise has caused us immense grief. I express my grief and I pay my tributes on behalf of my party and myself.”

Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress: He (Goa CM Manohar Parrikar) was a good human being. His passing away has left a huge gap in politics; we have lost a good politician. His demise has caused us immense grief. I express my grief and I pay my tributes on behalf of my party and myself. pic.twitter.com/QbHpdC7yPo

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2019

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said: "Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Manohar Parrikar ji, Chief Minister of Goa. My heartfelt condolences to his family members..May his soul rest in peace.”

Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Manohar Parrikar ji, Chief Minister of Goa. My heartfelt condolences to his family members..May his soul rest in peace.

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) March 17, 2019

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “Sad to learn about the passing away of Shri Manohar Parrikar, CM of Goa. He was a cordial man, who was admired across party lines. My deepest condolences to his family and friends."

Sad to learn about the passing away of Shri Manohar Parrikar, CM of Goa.

He was a cordial man, who was admired across party lines.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 17, 2019

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said:  “BJP has faced a huge loss with the demise of #ManoharParrikar Ji... Apart from being a party member, he was a really close friend of mine. He isn't with me today & I'm personally very pained by this. I am immediately leaving for Goa.”

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari: BJP has faced a huge loss with the demise of #ManoharParrikar Ji... Apart from being a party member, he was a really close friend of mine. He isn't with me today & I'm personally very pained by this. I am immediately leaving for Goa pic.twitter.com/tBryEpA5lv

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2019

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy said: “The nation has lost a true Bharat Ratna today in the demise of Manohar Parrikar. I first knew him when he was a IIT Powai student who served as my booth agent when I won twice in that constituency in 1977 and 1980. He remained my friend through thick and thin.”

The nation has lost a true Bharat Ratna today in the demise of Manohar Parrikar. I first knew him when he was a IIT Powai student who served as my booth agent when I won twice in that constituency in 1977 and 1980. He remained my friend through thick and thin.

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) March 17, 2019

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: “Terribly pained and saddened....With the sudden demise of Goa CM #ManoharParrikar ji, we have lost a humble, simple, trusted, valued and hardworking leader of India. His dedication towards his work was beyond imagination.”

Terribly pained and saddened....
With the sudden demise of Goa CM #ManoharParrikar ji, we have lost a humble, simple, trusted, valued and hardworking leader of India. His dedication towards his work was beyond imagination. pic.twitter.com/I6a2AQ4a87

— Chowkidar Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 17, 2019

Other leaders who paid tributes to Manohar Parrikar:

गोवा के मुख्यमंत्री व पूर्व रक्षा मंत्री श्री मनोहर परिकर के निधन की खबर अति-दुखःद है। वे काफी लम्बे समय से बीमार चल रहे थे। श्री परिकर बहुत लम्बे समय से राजनीति में सक्रिय रहे तथा चार बार गोवा के मुख्यमंत्री बने। उनके परिवार के प्रति गहरी संवेदना।

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) March 17, 2019

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

Extremely saddened to hear of the passing away of the Chief Minister of Goa Shri #ManoharParrikar.

He was respected by all across political lines.

My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.

— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) March 17, 2019

गोवा के मुख्यमंत्री और पूर्व रक्षा मंत्री श्री मनोहर पर्रिकर जी के निधन की ख़बर अत्यंत दुखद है।
ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को अपने श्रीचरणो में स्थान व पीछे परिजनो को यह दुःख सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करे।#ManoharParrikar

— Office Of Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) March 17, 2019

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

Saddened to hear about the passing away of Shri Manohar Parrikar. He was a true fighter who despite battling cancer, worked tirelessly for the welfare of his people with a sense of duty & dignity. Condolences to his loved ones & family.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 17, 2019

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

Parrikar is survived by two sons and their families. "Chief Minister passed away around 6.40 pm Sunday," a senior state government official told news agency PTI. Sources said former defence minister Parrikar had been on life support system since late Saturday night. Parrikar had been unwell since February 2018 when he was diagnosed with a pancreatic ailment.