Date:03/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/03/stories/2008080355800900.htm

National

“Harkishan waged unrelenting struggle against communal forces”

Special Correspondent

He was like a father figure to me, says Deve Gowda

BANGALORE: The former Prime Minister and president of the Janata Dal (Secular), H.D. Deve Gowda, has expressed his sadness and shock over the death of the veteran Marxist leder, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, saying that “he was like a father figure to me and in his death I feel orphaned.”

Mr. Gowda, who enjoyed a close relationship with Mr. Surjeet, said: “No words are adequate to express my deep grief over this personal loss and an irreparable loss to the nation at a time when we are confronting unprecedented political, economic and social crisis and erosion in credibility of all democratic institutions. His forceful and principled stand on issues concerning the nation and his straightforwardness won him admirers from across the political spectrum and respect even from his opponents.”

The former Prime Minister said the defeat of the communal forces in the last general elections was a tribute to his unrelenting struggle against them and for the establishment of a truly socialist and secular republic and an egalitarian social order.

“He was instrumental in the formation of many coalitions at the Centre, including the one led by me, with the primary objective of preventing communal forces from occupying power. Though the delegates at the 18th congress of the CPI(M) where he formally demitted office hailed him as a living legend for his immense contributions to national life in a political career spanning seven decades, the late leader himself refused to take any credit for turning around the country’s contemporary history.”

“Continue fight”

Mr. Deve Gowda said there cannot be a greater tribute to him than continuing a strong, united and relentless battle against the communal and casteist forces who “want to divide and rule this great nation of ours. I pray to god to provide strength and courage to the members of his family, party comrades, ideological fellow travellers and all his admirers to overcome this great tragedy that has befallen all of us.”