PM mourns passing away of ''architect of modern Haryana''

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today mourned the passing away of former Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal whom he described as a nationalist, a modernist and a true Congress man.

''Chaudhary Bansi Lal was a nationalist, a modernist and a true Congressman dedicated to the ideals of our great party, '' Dr Singh said, adding that his death was a ''personal loss.'' In his condolence message, Dr Singh hailed the former Chief Minister's role ''in taking Haryana from being a backward region to becoming one of our most developed and industrialised states''.

Haryana's rapid economic and social development owes a lot to the visionary leadership of Chaudhary Bansi Lal, he said while conveying condolences to his family, followers and admirers.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and Company Affairs Minister Prem Chand Gupta also condoled the demise of the former Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal, describing him as an eminent parliamentarian, an able administrator and a charismatic leader who left ''a deep imprint on the socio-political canvas'' of the state and the country.

Mr Prasad said he was shocked and grieved to learn the sad demise of Bansi Lal at AIIMS here last night.

''With his passing away, the country has lost not only an eminent Parliamentarian but also an able administrator. For me it is a big personal loss and the void created by his departure can never be filled,'' Mr Prasad said in his condolence message.

Paying tributes to the ''Haryana strongman'', who also held several important positions at the Centre, including as the Railway Minister, the Transport Minister and the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Gupta said his demise was a personal loss as '' I constantly drew inspiration from him''.

BJP President Rajnath Singh also expressed grief over the death of the veteran leader, saying he was a natinalist and the party respected his contribution to the development of the state notwithstanding the political differences.

Lok Janshakti Party Chief Ramvilas Paswan said his death was a great loss not only to Haryana but the entire nation.

More/UNI team/JN HT2002