India on Tuesday mourned the death of George Fernandes, a star of the anti-Emergency struggle and a charismatic leader of the Socialist movement. The former Defence Minister, 88, breathed his last at his home here after a prolonged illness.

His family members said Fernandes was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and was under treatment for swine flu recently.

Fernandes, who began his public life as a trade union activist, was instrumental in organising the Railway strike ahead of the proclamation of Emergency.

Born and raised in Mangaluru, he became an MP from Maharashtra in 1967. He was a member of the Lok Sabha for nine terms, from Maharashtra and Bihar. He was also briefly a member of the Rajya Sabha during UPA-II.

Fernandes served as Defence Minister in the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during which he oversaw the Pokhran nuclear test and the Kargil war. He had to resign following allegations of corruption. He returned to the post a few months later and was exonerated after an inquiry. Apart from Defence, he has headed Railways, Communications and Industries portfolios in various Cabinets. He was instrumental in setting up the Konkan railway.

In a condolence message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Fernandes was frank and fearless, and never deviated from his ideology. “A visionary Railway Minister and a great Defence Minister who made India safe and strong.... George Sahab never deviated from his political ideology. He resisted the Emergency tooth and nail. His simplicity and humility were noteworthy,” he tweeted.

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