"I was deeply shocked and pained by the news of the passing away of Sardar Harkishan Singh Surjeet. Surjeet Saheb was a great political leader, a true patriot, a man committed to the welfare of the downtrodden, a great Indian and above all a dear friend. I greatly valued his friendship and his guidance. As I said recently in Parliament, he was one of the architects of the United Progressive Alliance.

Sardar Harkishan Singh Surjeet dedicated his entire life to the communist movement in India. He was one of its leading lights in Punjab and for many years an outstanding leader of the communist movement in India. Under his leadership the communist movement came into the national mainstream and contributed to giving a progressive orientation to our social and economic policies. I always valued his advice and reached out to him for support and guidance in managing the UPA Government.

I wish to convey my sincere condolences to all the members of his family, to the millions of his supporters and admirers and to all those who looked up to him for leadership.

I join the people of India in deeply mourning his passing away."