Cabinet expresses grief over Scindia's death

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 1. In an unusual gesture, the Union Cabinet placed on record its condolences over the sudden demise of the senior Congress(I) leader, Mr. Madhavrao Scindia, in an aircrash in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

In a resolution, adopted at an emergency meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, here this evening, the Cabinet said the untimely death of Mr. Scindia in his prime had cut short a bright political career and promising leadership and recorded its deep appreciation of his services to the nation.

Offering heartfelt condolences to the members of Mr. Scindia's family, the Cabinet resolution described him as a seasoned parliamentarian and recalled that he had never lost an election since he was first elected to the fifth Lok Sabha in 1971. It also noted his love for sports. ``Despite his ministerial and other political responsibilities, he was an avid sportsperson with cricket and golf as his passion.'' The Cabinet meeting also condoled the death of others who died in the mishap - the crew members and the accompanying journalists.

Meanwhile, the political establishment slowly began coming to terms with the enormity of the loss. Reflecting the poignancy and sense of disbelief at the sudden and tragic turn of events were the President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan, and the Prime Minister, who led the nation in its tribute to Mr. Scindia.

Mr. Narayanan drove down to 27, Safdarjang Road to pay floral tributes to the departed leader at his residence. ``It is impossible to believe that he is no more,'' Mr. Narayanan wrote in the condolence book, describing Mr. Scindia as ``one of the brightest stars in our political firmament''.

A visibly-shaken Mr. Vajpayee echoed similar sentiments. ``It is a bolt from the blue. Can destiny be so cruel?'' he wrote in the condolence book. Mr. Vajpayee then slowly made his way to the room in which Mr. Scindia's body lay draped in a Congress flag.

He consoled the grieving members of family and spent some time talking to Mr. Jyotiraditya, who stood by his father's body.

The former Prime Minister, Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao, Mr. Chandra Shekhar and Mr. I.K. Gujral, the CPI(M) general-secretary, Mr. Harkishan Singh Surjeet, senior journalists and diplomats were among the visitors to 27, Safdarjang Road.

Distraught Congress(I) leaders made a beeline to Mr. Scindia's residence and Youth Congress(I) activists took over the arrangements.

The party president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, was present at the airport with the senior leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Mr. Natwar Singh and Mr. P.M. Sayeed, and the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Mr. Ashok Gehlot, when the special IAF plane arrived this morning from Agra carrying the body of Mr. Scindia and the four journalists. She was also there with the Scindia family throughout the day.

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