Sunset at Noon

Like a sun he shone on
India’s political horizon

The day Shri Pramod Mahajan was seriously injured in a murderous attack on him on April 22, a wave of anguish and sympathy swept across the country. Prayers were held for his speedy recovery in every corner of the country in every place of worship be it a temple, mosque, church or a gurudwara. The day after his situation worsened and Hinduja Hospital Dr. Lele declared: Pramodji is no more, it spread a pall of gloom all over the country. His friends and political opponents joined hands to sing eulogies for him. Among those who came to pay him homage and respects were not only the big guns; the ordinary people were also not behind. Here is a collage of the sentiments expressed by people all over the country, led by the President of India.

President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam led the nation in mourning senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Union Minister Pramod Mahajan, who died in Mumbai: “I had closely known Mr. Mahajan and worked with him when he was Union Minister. I will always remember my personal interaction and close association with him. I feel a personal sense of loss in his passing away. He was a young leader well known for his `can do it’ approach. He served with distinction in various important assignments in public life as well as in Government. The nation has lost a young political leader with potential.”

Vice-President Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat: “Mr. Mahajan was a gem of a person, who always strove hard to help others. He was a true nationalist and a mass leader. From a common man, his rise to a position of eminence in public life will always be a source of inspiration for the young. His passing away at this age has caused a big void, which will be difficult to fill.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Somnath Chatterjee: “As the leader of the CPI (M) in the 13th Lok Sabha, I used to have regular interactions with Mr. Mahajan, who was then the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs ... and left in me the indelible impression that such dynamic leaders are a great asset to the country. It is difficult to accept that someone of his calibre has left us so early in his life..."

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh: “A charismatic and youthful leader full of promise and energy. A well-known personality in our public life, he earned a reputation as a capable organiser and a dynamic leader through his hard work. It is indeed tragic that he has been snatched away from us at the prime of his career in politics and public life.

I have had the opportunity of working with him in the Rajya Sabha and seeing him taking keen interest in the proceedings of the House. It is indeed unfortunate that the country has lost a young leader with a lot of promise.”

Shri K. Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman (Rajya Sabha): “The sudden demise of Shri Pramod Mahajan has put me in a state of great sorrow and grief. He was a seasoned parliamentarian, pragmatic national leader, great visionary and a veteran BJP leader. He was elected to Rajya Sabha for four consecutive terms and represented Maharashtra in the Parliament. With his death, the nation has lost a true statesman and a patriot.”

BJP National President Shri Rajnath Singh: “The untimely demise of Pramodji is definitely a great loss... His demise is not only a great loss to the BJP but also to the Indian Polity. He was an energetic leader. Before his death, he was the sole incharge of Assam elections. He will be missed in Rajya Sabha because he was a great orator. For him nothing was impossible in the party. BJP is in deep shock by the demise of its loving leader.”

Atal Bihari Vajpaye, Former Prime Minister: “Bina badlon ke bijli girne ki charcha humne suni hai. Yahan apni akhon se Bharat ki tarunai ko puri tarah se viksit hone se pehle hi kaalchakra ne isko ham se chheen liya (We have heard about lightning striking without clouds. Here we see India’s Youth being snatched away even before it could develop fully). In his death, the country has lost a skilled organiser, a forceful orator and an aggressive representative of its Youth. Pramod Mahajan played a key role in nation-building. He was able to win trust of our opponents also as he carved a niche for himself in the party.”

Lal Krishna Advani, Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha) has termed the death of party leader Pramod Mahajan as a ‘major loss to the party’.

“I find it difficult to comprehend,” Advani said after arriving at the BJP state office at Nariman Point late this evening to pay tributes to Mahajan.

Advani said the April 22 attack on Mahajan was a ‘blow’ to all those who were associated with the BJP or Pramod Mahajan, and everybody prayed.

Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi: “One has to accept the will of the Almighty. Mere words can’t soften your unbearable pain. I pray to God to give you strength to bear the loss. I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to yourself and your children.”

U.S. Ambassador David Mulford : “On behalf of the American people and Government, I convey my condolences to the family of Mr. Pramod Mahajan following his tragic and untimely death. He embodied the spirit and vibrancy of young India. He was a forward-looking leader, who had the vision and determination to guide India towards a bright and prosperous future.”

H.E. Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran: “In his death your country has lost a well-known organiser and forceful orator, whose sincere services to the party and people of India will always be remembered.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauritius : “That his loss is mourned by the entire political leadership as well as eminent members of the business community and celebrities from all walks of life in India is a vivid testimony of his great popularity and unparalleled charisma as an emerging young leader in the political arena....”

R. L. Bhatia, Governor of Kerala : “A political activist of immense élan and energy, he served the country both as a Union Minister and charismatic young leader of your party. Pramod Mahajan had all the promise and potential to carve out a glorious career in national politics.”

Andhra Pradesh Governor Shri Rameshwar Thakur: “I am deeply grieved at the passing away of a bright and upcoming leader like Pramod Mahajan. He would have contributed immensely to the country, but unfortunately he is no more.”

Maharashtra Governor Shri S. M. Krishna: “He was one of the brightest stars on the political horizon. “Death snatched from the nation one of the brightest and most promising stars on the political horizon of India. It was a loss not just for the BJP but also for Maharashtra and the nation. He always valued human relationships over political differences.”

Former President of India Shri R. Venkataraman: “The tragic demise of Pramod Mahajan leaves a void in the political atmosphere of our country. He was a dynamic personality with friends in every one of the parties. As a minister and as a party manager he has left indeligible impression in the nation. May his soul rest in peace.”

Former Prime Minister Shri H.D. Deve Gowda : “I am grieved to learn the sad demise of Shri Pramod Mahajan, former Union Minister and the General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata party. The nation had lost a young, potential and dynamic leader, who was full of promises and energy worked in different capacities for many decades in the Indian Politics.”
Maharashtra CM Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh: “In his death the country has lost a promising political leadership, a vibrant personality.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa: “BJP leader Promod Mahajan was a charismatic and dynamic leader who represented the generation next of the BJP, Mahajan was a magnetic personality, powerful orator, consummate organiser and negotiator...His untimely death in the tragic circumstances left behind a void not only the BJP but also in the Indian political firmament.”

J&K Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad: “I have lost a dear friend. We knew each other for over a quarter of a century. The death of a “youthful and energetic” Mahajan's death was a great tragedy which will create a void in Indian politics.”

A. K. Bachoo, Minister of Environment & NDU : “Shri Pramod Mahajan was a young charismatic leader endowed with exceptional organisational skills, great political acumen and dedication for hard work... The entire nation will remember him for his inspiration for a modern and vibrant India. The huge number of mourners from all walks of life who were gathered to pay their last, but tearful adieu to him is a vivid testimony of his immense popularity nationwide.”

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Sharad Pawar: “He was a dynamic leader with great organizational skills. We had a long association spanning over 30 years and we maintained a very cordial and warm relationship.”

Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav, Union Railways Minister: “He was an orator of repute, an outstanding parliamentarian, and a man of qualities of head and heart.”

Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Deputy Leader BJP Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha: “He played a major role in keeping the NDA coalition together. His demise will hurt the party at this crucial hour.”

Deputy Leader of BJP Parliamentary Party in Rajya Sabha, Smt. Sushama Swaraj: “For more than two decades Bhai Pramod Mahajan and I have been together both in the Parliament and in the Organization occupying various posts. I have only fond memories of him. He had a rare sense of dynamism in him, and a zeal to work and accomplish with perfection. I will personally miss him both in the organization and in Parliament.”

Dr. M.M. Joshi : “He was the future of the party. His life was snatched away without fulfillment.”

Ram Vilas Paswan : “He was a genius as he was managing a major political party. He was a great personality and an asset.”

M. Venkaiah Naidu : “Mahajan was a promising, dynamic and charismatic leader. The vacuum created by him is difficult to fill.”

M. Karunanidhi: “Mahajan was a young and energetic leader. I am shocked.”

Former Goa Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar: “Right from inception of the Goa BJP unit, Shri Mahajan was a friend, a guide and a philosopher to us. His death means a huge loss to us in Goa. His death would not demoralise the party in Goa. On the contrary it would give partymen more strength to fight adversities.”

Congress Party: “ Mr. Mahajan as one of the most competent ministers, a very good organiser and an able politician, who played an important role in Indian politics.”

CPM General Secretary Shri Prakash Karat: “I am saddened to hear the news of the passing away of Mr. Mahajan. In his untimely death, the life of a political leader with potential and promise has been cut short. It is a great loss to the BJP. ”

The Information Technology (IT) industry: “It will long remember Pramod Mahajan with affection. His spell as the IT Minister and then as the combined head of both IT and telecommunications, saw many lively exchanges with industry representatives. He always had his own special ‘take’ on technology issues — and could tell a joke at his own expense.”

Allies and adversaries pay homage

Mumbai Congress president Shri Gurudas Kamat: “He was a pillar of strength for the BJP, an able organiser and his death would be a great loss for the party.”

Congress MP Shri Suresh Kalmadi: “I have lost a good friend and the country an excellent political personality.”

Rajasthan CPM State Committee: “In Mr. Mahajan’s untimely death the country had lost a promising public figure and competent political leader”.

Rajasthan PCC president Shri B.D.Kalla: Mr. Mahajan as a young political leader who had held lot of promise. The untimely demise of Mr.Mahajan is a loss to the nation.

“A great loss”

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, and National Conference President Omar Abdullah: “The death of Mahajan is an irreparable loss to the nation. His death has created a political vacuum in the country which is very difficult to fill.

Sharad Yadav,President, Janata Dal (United) : “He was one of the brightest stars of the BJP and a politician with great promise.”

Uma Bharati , Bharatiya Janshakti Party president: “Pramod Mahajan and I have been colleagues in the Lok Sabha and the Rajaya Sabha, and have shared each other’s joys and sorrows at personal level. His death is a big personal loss to me.”

Former Union Minister and Senior BJP leader, Shri Yashwant Sinha, Senior BJP leader: “... You will not have another leader of his dynamism, energy and promise.”

Ravishankar Prasad , BJP spokesperson : “He was more of an elder brother to the whole generation of young leaders like me.”

Shri Ram Gopal Yadav, Samajwadi Party General Secretary: “His absence inside and outside Parliament would be felt for an indefinite period of time.”

Prakash Karat, CPI(M) General Secretary : “(His) untimely death has cut short the life of a political leader with potential and promise.”

India Inc condoled the passing away of the BJP leader Shri Pramod Mahajan, calling him a visionary and a decisive leader who had a quick grasp of economic issues.

CII president, Shri R Seshasayee: “The country has lost a youthful leader of great promise. FICCI President, Shri Saroj Kumar Poddar. His commitment for liberalization was a great strength for the industry.”

ASSOCHAM President, Shri Anil K Agarwal: “He was one of the visionaries under whose reign telecom and IT services witnessed a revolution.”

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Manohar Joshi: “He fought against poverty and injustice throughout his life, given his rise in politics it was certain that he would have been Prime Minister of the country."

Deputy Leader, BJP Legislature Party, Nagaland Dr. T. M. Lotha: “In his death, it is not only the B.J.P. who has lost its upcoming great promising leader, but also the country has lost a talented younger generation leader, it will be difficult to fill the void caused by his death.”

Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Anand Sharma: “Shri Pramod Mahajan was a respected colleague in the political arena and in Parliament. He was a front-ranking leader of the Bharatiya Janata party who had distinguished himself by his oratorical skills and organizational abilities. In his death, the country has lost a dynamic second generation leader who will be remembered for his leadership qualities and significant contribution to Indian politics.”

World Bodo National Conference Durbar, Assam: “The most tragic, untimely as well as un-natural death of Pramod Mahajan who was one of the most towering and daring young national leaders of the country, has indeed caused an irreparable loss to both the country as well as the Indian Society as a whole.

The World Bodo National Conference Durbar in particular, and also the whole people of the entire Bodoland Territory do strongly reminisce about the contributions made and pivotal role played by late Pramod Mahajan towards the process of political peace dialogue held between the Union Government of India during the time of NDA regime, the State Govt. of Assam and the Bodo Liberation tigers which ultimately had culminated into the signining of the new Bodo Accord.”

Dr. N. Sethuraman, Founder President, All India Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam: “I am shocked to learn the sudden demise of Mr. Promod Mahajan... he was an young energetic leader of BJP and played a vital role in Shri Vajpayee’s Government. He has proved himself as a good administrator during crisis situation in the parliament. His love among the Tamil people, Tamil language was appreciable. Even in the midst of hectic political situations he attended the Stamp release function of the Great Actor Sivaji Ganesan, on our request.”

Ex Minister Shri Tapan Sikdar: “The untimely demise of Pramod Mahajan, my former colleague in Union Cabinet has shaken me. He was a tireless worker. I remember fondly the days when we worked together in Communication Ministry.”

Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party: “We send our condolences on the sad demise of our colleague, Shri Pramod Mahajan. We pray to the almighty to give strength to the bereaved family and the party for this irreparable loss.”

Smt. Sumangala & Sudarshan Birla and Shri Prem & Sheila Khanna, Birla : Deeply grieved to learn about the sudden demise of Pramodji Mahajan. Our heartfelt condolences to the family. In his death the country has lost one of its brightest and most promising stars on the political horizon.”

India Society of Engineers Dr. Debabrata Choudhury: “We, on behalf of India Society of Engineers express our sincere and deep sorrow at the sad and untimely demise of Sri Pramod Mahajan, one of the dynamic leadera of India.”

Leader of Opposition, Arunachal Pradesh Shri Kameng Dolo: “Deeply shocked to hear the news of the death of Pramod Mahajan.. I convey my heart felt condolence. His untimely death is an irreparable loss not only for the family but for our party also. Bharatiya Janata Party will never forget his contribution which he rendered for our party as a capacity of Minister and as a General Secretary.”

Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shri Ashok Singhal, Acharya Giriraj Kishore, Dr. Pravin Bhai Togadia, VHP: “In this hour of grief Vishwa Hindu Parishad is with Smt. Mahajan, Rahulji, Punamji and other grieved family members. Every family of India knew Pramodji. We believe that each of us has heartfelt respect towards Shri Majahan’s family. God may rest his soul in peace.”

Maharshi Valmiki Sena (UP): “The rank and file of Maharshi Valmiki Sena including the various ranks and workers felt grieved by the untimely demise of senior BJP leader Shri Pramod Mahajan. The demise of Shri Mahajan has given an irreparable loss to the BJP.”

Sheila Dixit, C.M. Delhi : “A terrible blow to the BJP and the country. He was an outstanding leader and his going at the peak of his career and need of the nation is most painful. May his soul rest in peace and strength to all specially his family to bear the loss.”

Neera Shastri : “Pramodji’s sad demise is a loss for the entire country, not only for BJP.”

Sangeeta Kumari Singh, M.P. : Pramodji- undoubtedly one of the great leaders of our time. Dynamic, charismatic, brilliant … the superlatives can just go on.

Jagmohan, Former Union Minister : A great organiser has passed away. The cruial Fate has cut short a brilliant career. But the icy hands of death cannot take away the many association we had with him. May his soul rest in peace.

Neena Vyas, Senior Journalist : Pramodji will be remembered for his direct and forthright no-nonsense manners on whom the party and those who knew him could depend on. In his untimely death I feel a personal loss. For me, the BJP will not be the same without him.

Sushri Nirmla Deshpande, eminent Gandhian Social Activist: “The country has untimely lost an upcoming and dynamic young leader”.

Tarun Vijay Editor- Panchyajanya : “Sunset at noon”.

Pranav Mukherjee, Union Defence Minister : “ Mahajan was a dynamic and charismatic leader possessing exceptional organisational skills”.

Nitish Kumar Chief Minister, Bihar : “Demise of Mahajan is a great personal loss to me, the void created by his death is difficult to fill”.

Sushil Kumar Modi, Deputy CM, Bihar : “Mahajan was a great leader and capable organiser”.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh: “The loss to the public life cannot be made good.”

Kesarinath Tripathi, President, Uttar Pradesh –BJP : “A great blow to the party”.

Bhupendra Singh Hudda, Chief Minister, Haryana “Country has lost a potential leader”.

Dr. Harshvardhan, Delhi BJP Preident :“Untimely demise of Pramod Mahajan, the BJP and the country has lost a shining star”.

Shivraj Patil, Union Home Minister : “ I have lost a good friend”.

Chandrashekhar, Former Prime Minister : “He was an upcoming leader of BJP, who in a short span of life made a unique place for himself in Indian polity”.