PresidentRam Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed deepgrief over the demise of former Home Minister and Congress leader Buta Singh,saying the country has lost one of the longest serving parliamentarians who wasan effective voice for the welfare of the downtrodden.
ThePresident tweeted that in the passing of Buta Singh the country has lost one ofthe longest serving parliamentarians with rich administrative experience."He championed the cause of the oppressed and marginalised. Condolences tohis family and supporters."
Ina tweet, Modi said, "Buta Singh Ji was an experienced administrator andeffective voice for the welfare of the poor as well as downtrodden. Saddened byhis passing away. My condolences to his family and supporters."
Congressleader Rahul Gandhi offered his condolences to Buta Singh's family and said theveteran party leader had spent his life in service of the common man. ButaSingh passed away on Saturday at the age of 86.
Asenior leader of the Congress, Buta Singh became a Lok Sabha member eighttimes, besides being appointed as Governor of Bihar.
Heworked with former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and P.V.Narasimha Rao. He was Bihar Governor from 2004 to 2006.
Bornin Jalandhar, he held key portfolios like railways, commerce, parliamentaryaffairs, sports, shipping, agriculture, communications and housing.
ButaSingh was also chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes from2007 to 2010.