Oscar Fernandes, Congress stalwart passes away

Congress leader Oscar Fernandes passed away at a hospital in Mangaluru on Monday. The 80-year-old Rajya Sabha MP was hospitalised and operated on for a blood clot in his brain in July after he took a fall while exercising.

Fernandes had an illustrious career spanning almost 5 decades. He started his political journey as a member of the Municipal Council in his hometown Udupi in 1972. He would represent Udupi a total of five times as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. 

The former Union Minister held the Transport and Labour portfolios in the Manmohan Singh led UPA government. He also served as an MP in the Rajya Sabha 4 times.

Starting as the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee in 1986, Fernandes was a key figure for the Indian National Congress and held several important positions within the party throughout his life — both at the state and national level.

He was the parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1984 to 1985 and is reportedly considered a trusted aide of Sonia Gandhi.

Several Congress leaders poured in their condolences after the news of his demise. The party said that Fernandes’ vision for an inclusive India had a huge influence on the politics of our times and they will deeply miss his mentorship & guidance.