Former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes passes away, Modi, Deve Gowda, BSY mourn his death

Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes passed away on Monday. He was aged 80.

Mangaluru, 13 Sep: Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes passed away on Monday. He was aged 80.

In July 2021, Oscar Fernandez had suffered head injury after falling while doing Yoga at his residence in Mangaluru. The doctors had identified clots after conducting a few tests when he went for a routine check-up the following day and soon he was shifted to the ICU.

He is survived by his wife Blossom Fernandes and two children.

The Karnataka politicians from across the parties have mourned the death of Fernandez.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolence on Twitter. "Saddened by the demise of Rajya Sabha MP Shri Oscar Fernandes Ji. In this sad hour, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and well-wishers. May his soul rest in peace: PM," a tweet from the PMO read.

KPCC President DK Shivakumar, on Twitter, condoled, "Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of Senior Congress leader Sri Oscar Fernandes. Serving the country and the party in various roles, Sri Fernandes will always be warmly remembered for his untiring dedication and vision."

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah have also mourned the death of the veteran politician.

Oscar Fernandez's Journey in Politics

Oscar Fernandez started his journey as a member municipal council and won his first Lok Sabha election in 1980 from the Udupi constituency. He won 1984, 1989, 1991 and 1996 elections from the same constituency.

After losing the elections in 1998, Oscar Fernandez was nominated to Rajya Sabha four times from Karnataka.

He was a close aide of Sonia Gandhi and served as Parliamentary Secretary to Rajiv Gandhi. In the first UPA government, he served as the Union Minister for Transport, Road and Highways and Labour and Employment. He was also the Chairman of Central Election Authority of the All India Congress Committee.

He had also served as the AICC General Secretary and KPCC President, twice.