2NDLD SHEKHAWAT

As Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shekhawat had introduced
'Antodaya Yojna' to fulfil the foodgrain needs of the poor,
Gadkari said and described Shekhawat as a "generous person".
Gadkari, who was to leave for Europe tomorrow, has
cancelled his trip. He would reach here tomorrow to attend the
funeral.
Senior BJP leader L K Advani and a host of other leaders
will arrive here by tomorrow to pay their last respects.
Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who was in Delhi,
reached here. She said, "The death of Shekhawat is not only
great loss to the nation but to me also. He was my guide and I
have learnt a lot from him. Shekhawat would be remembered as
Vikas Purush."
Rajasthan state Governor Shivraj Patil in his condolence
message said Shekhawat was a popular political leader who
served the nation as well as people through active politics.
Haryana state Governor Jagannath Pahadia and Chief
Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda condoled the death of the
former Vice President.
Pahadia said Shekhawat's contribution as the Vice
President and Chief Minister of Rajasthan would be long
remembered.
Hooda described Shekhawat as a seasoned and committed
politician and parliamentarian, who served at different
positions in his six-decade-long public life.
Union Minister of state Namo Narayan Meena, state
Industry Minister Rajendra Pareek, Deputy Leader of Opposition
in Rajasthan Vidhansabha Ghanshyam Tiwari, BJP state chief
Arun Chaturvedi and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh
Badal also condoled his death.
Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh described Shekhawat as a
"great visionary and parliamentarian".
Another Union Minister Farooq Abdullah recalled the
"great services" rendered by Shekhawat to the nation for
decades and described him as a "gentle person".
Former Union Minister Natwar Singh said Shekhawat was a
popular leader with his roots in the village.
Singh, who knew the former Vice President for the past 30
years, said he was an eminent and distinguished figure who
rendered services of the highest quality.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Shekhawat was a
popular leader on good terms with leaders of all parties and
announced state mourning for two days as a mark of respect to
the departed leader.
Deputy Chief Minister S K Modi and state health minister
N K Yadav, besides state BJP chief C P Thakur also condoled
his death.
Rashtriya Janta Dal supremo Lalu Prasad and his wife
Rabri Devi said, "We have lost a leader of great stature". PTI