In her condolence message, Pratibha Patil said Singh was a veteran public personality and the important responsibilities given to him during his long career showed the acumen and ability he possessed.
President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, vice-president Hamid Ansari, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and BJP leader LK Advani today condoled the death of veteran Congress leader Arjun Singh, describing him as a "towering personality".
In her message, Patil said Singh was a veteran public personality and the important responsibilities given to him
during his long career showed the acumen and ability he
possessed.
His contribution to parliamentary debates was recognised through his being honoured with the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 2000.
In his passing away, the country as well as the state of Madhya Pradesh has lost a towering personality, Patil said.
Manmohan Singh said Arjun Singh would be remembered for his deep concern for the welfare of the disadvantaged sections of society and for promoting the cause of equality and social justice in the country.
"He was an able administrator, experienced legislator and a leader who had strong ties with people," Singh said and added that he was "deeply grieved" to hear of his demise.
The prime minister noted that Singh held a number of sensitive and important assignments during his career, "notably the office of the minister of HRD" in the central government for eight years, and had a distinguished career in Parliament.
Vice-president Ansari and Sonia Gandhi also expressed their "deep sorrow" at Singh's death.
Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Rajnath Singh, too, conveyed their condolences to Singh's family.
"I am extremely sad to hear about the passing away of Arjun Singh. With his demise, Indian politics has lost a veteran who had competently discharged numerous responsibilities in public life, and served Madhya Pradesh and the country," Advani said in a statement.
Railway minister Mamata Banerjee in her condolence message said Singh, who held various important portfolios during his long political career, was deeply committed to the welfare of the marginalised sections of society.
"With the passing away of Singh, the nation has lost a great leader who worked tirelessly for the underprivileged section of society," she added.
Minister of state for steel (independent charge) Beni Prasad Verma in his condolence message addressed to Singh's wife Saroj Devi said the Congress leader's death had created a "vacuum in Indian politics".
He said Singh's contribution to the Congress party and to the task of nation-building was unforgettable and an "irreparable loss". Law minister M Veerappa Moily also condoled Singh's death.
Chief ministers M Karunanidhi, N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Nitish Kumar, Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Mayawati and Uttar Pradesh governor BL Joshi were among those who condoled Singh's death.
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