New Delhi: Veteran Congressman and a close aide of erstwhile Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Makhan Lal Fotedar passed away in Gurugram on Thursday after a brief illness, party sources said .
Fotedar, 85, was staying at Gurugram with his family.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi condoled the death.
Expressing her deepest condolences on the passing away of the former Union Minister, Mrs Gandhi said,’In his long and active political career spanning over five decades, Fotedar tirelessly fought for the rights of people and served them with utmost integrity.
‘ ‘Shri Fotedar was one of the guiding lights for the Congress party and has left behind a void which can never be filled, ‘ Ms Gandhi added. Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has expressed grief over the passing away of veteran Congress leader, Makhan Lal Fotedar who expired today in Gurugram, Haryana. Governor N.N. Vohra has expressed grief over the sad demise of Sh. Makhan Lal Fotedar, a senior Congress leader and a former Minister who had also served as a political advisor to the late Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi.
In a message, Governor has prayed for peace to the departed soul and wished the bereaved family the strength to bear the sad loss.
In her condolence message, the Chief Minister described the late leader as a repository of the political history of the State and the country whose loss would be difficult to fill. She said as the son of the soil, Makhan Lal Foredar added grace, decorum and integrity to whatever role he assumed during his decades’ long career in politics and public life.
Mehbooba Mufti said the late leader had a close association with her father late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed spanning over many decades and the personal traits of hospitality, courtesy, dignity and discretion exhibited by him would always be remembered by one and all.
The Chief Minister has conveyed her sympathies to the bereaved family of late Mr. Fotedar.
