The Prime Minister has condoled the passing away of the former Vice President of India, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Dr. Manmohan Singh in his message to his wife Shrimati Suraj Kanwar Shekhawat, described Shri Shekhawat as one of the tallest leaders Rajasthan has produced and as a public figure who always stood for his principles.

The text of the Prime Minister's condolence message is as follows:

"It is with great sadness that I learnt of the passing away of your husband, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

Shekhawatji was one of the tallest leaders that Rajasthan has produced. His life epitomized hard work and commitment to the public cause. His early years were difficult. Poverty forced him to quit school after which he found a job as a police constable. Indeed, it is a tribute to his leadership qualities that he overcame the disadvantages of his early life to carve out a sterling career in public service.

Shekhawatji's persona was one of rare charisma. Together with a few others, he defined a whole era in the Bharatiya Janata Party. His many qualities of head and heart included a liberal outlook and generosity of spirit. As a social worker and a public figure, he always stood up for his principles. It was an exceptional courage of conviction which led him to condemn the 1987 Deorala incident of Sati at a time when few in his party and State were willing to speak out against it.

Shekhawatji excelled in all positions he held. His three tenures as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan will be remembered for his sympathy and sensitivity to the problems of the poor and the disadvantaged and his administrative acumen. As the Vice-President of our country he worked to uphold our Constitution and our secular ethos.

The void that Shekhawatji has left behind will be very difficult to fill.

On this said occasion, I join the people of India in conveying my heartfelt condolences to you and other members of the family, his friends and innumerable others who looked up to him."