Madhya Pradesh grieves

By Our Staff Correspondent

BHOPAL, SEPT. 30. The senior Congress leader, Mr. Madhavrao Scindia's death in a plane crash this afternoon has come as a jolt to the people of Madhya Pradesh.

The untimely demise of Mr. Scindia, the scion of the erstwhile ruling family of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and a front- ranking leader from the State, is being described here as an irreparable loss to the nation by leaders and the common people alike.

The Governor, Dr. Bhai Mahavir, has expressed profound grief on the demise of Mr. Scindia. A function attended by him here this afternoon was immediately called off and everyone stood in silence for two minutes.

The Chief Minister, Mr. Digvijay Singh, who is to return on Monday from a tour abroad, was not immediately available for his reaction. Mr. Mahendra Singh, State Minister and Mr. Scindia's close associate, has rushed to Delhi.

Expressing profound grief, the State Congress president, Mr. Radhakishan Malviya, said: ``We have lost a great leader. His untimely demise is an irreparable loss.''

The State Congress general secretary and spokesperson, Mr. Lalit Shrivastava, said the party had suffered a huge loss. Describing Mr. Scindia as ``a proud legacy of Madhya Pradesh,'' he said it was tragic that the Congress had to lose young leaders such as Rajiv Gandhi, Rajesh Pilot and now Madhavrao Scindia in this manner.

The Rajya Sabha member, Mr. P.K. Maheshwari, in his condolence message said: ``Mr. Scindia's untimely death is an irreparable loss not only to the Congress or Madhya Pradesh but the whole country. He was a budding leader and the party looked up to him for leadership.''

Shopkeepers down shutters

A pall of gloom descended on Gwalior this afternoon and shopkeepers pulled down their shutters as a mark of respect to the departed leader, according to information received here. Mourners from across the city started surging towards Mr. Scindia's residence - the Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior - to offer their condolences.

3-day mourning

The State Government has declared a three-day state mourning beginning October 1, as a mark of respect to Mr. Scindia. There will be a local holiday in Gwalior on October 1 as well as on the day of cremation, an official release said here today, adding the cremation would take place with full state honours.

The national flag will be flown at half mast during the period of mourning. There shall be no official entertainment programmes during the period, the release added.

- PTI

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