Former Union Minister and veteran Congress leader M V Rajashekaran (91) passed away in Bengaluru on Monday after prolonged illness. (File photo)
Former Union Minister and veteran Congress leader M V Rajashekaran (91) passed away in Bengaluru on Monday after prolonged illness.
The veteran leader had served as an MLC, MP and Union Minister. In Manmohan Singh government’s first term, Rajashekaran was the Union Minister of State for Planning and Statistics.
Before joining politics Rajashekaran was associated with various farmer associations as an agriculturalist. Born in Maralawadi in Kanakapura, on 12 September 1928 and he was also part of the Indian freedom movement. He joined the Mysore Pradesh Youth Congress in 1966, and made his electoral debut by winning the Kanakapura parliamentary constituency in 1967. His father-in-law was former Karnataka Chief Minister S Nijalingappa.
In 2017, Rajashekaran surprised his party members by praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an open letter after the BJP won the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly elections. In his letter to Modi, Rajashekaran had said, “Your kind self has been able to establish direct rapport with the electorate, especially the younger generation, who constitute nearly 82 percent of our electorate. Your kindness has been able to get support from the poor people and from women cutting across caste, region, religion and ethnic groups.”
Condoling the death of Rajashekaran, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said that he was a politician with simplicity, humility and great maturity.
“His concern for rural development and his value-based politics will be always remembered. May God give his family and all his near and dear ones the strength to bear this loss. Om Shanti,” B.S. Yediyurappa said.
Congress leader Rahiul Gandhi condoled the death of Rajasekharan in a tweet and said, “I’m sorry to hear about the passing of Shri M V Rajasekharan ji, veteran Congress leader & former Union Minister. An expert on rural development, his contribution to Karnataka & the nation were immense. My condolences to his family & supporters at this time of grief.”
Karnataka Congress President, DK Shivakumar visited the hospital and paid his last respects to Rajasekharan. “Deeply saddened by the demise of Former Union Minister and Senior Congress leader Shri MV Rajasekharan. Paid my respects to this statesman at the hospital this morning. His contributions to the state and nation are innumerable. My Condolences to his family,” he tweeted.
Rajashekaran is survived by his wife Girija Rajasekharan, two sons and two daughters.