By MM Special Correspondent,
New Delhi, 2 Nov 2014: Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad has condoled the death of senior political figure and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Union Minister Abdur Rehman Antulay (85) who died of prolonged illness on Tuesday in Mumbai.
Expressing grief and shock over the sad demise of veteran Congress leader, Azad said that his death has create a vacuum in the political and public domain in the country which cannot be filled so easily.
He said that Antulay was a political stalwart and a massleader; enjoying the goodwill of all the sections of the society and that his contributions to the growth and development of the country and Maharashtra have been noteworthy and distinct.
“He was a highly learned, literary and hardworking political leader of the country who tirelessly and tirelessly strived for the upliftment and welfare of the people of the country as well as Maharashtra”, said Azad.
Calling him a strong administrator and a hard taskmaster, Azad said that Antulay always carried out his public responsibilities with unflinching resolve and unwavering determination adding that he has lost a personal friend and a companion who has been a great support all along his career.
Antualy was chief minister of Maharashtra in 1980 to 81 and also became minister in the Narsihma Rao and the Dr Manmohan Singh cabinet. He created a political storm by questioning Mumbai police role in the November 26 strike in Mumbai in 2008. It is said that he paid the price for speaking truth as he lost the next election in 2009.