George Fernandes used to travel in economy class even when he was a minister : Yashwant Sinha

Former Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday, January 29 said that former Defense Minister George Fernandez was a very simple man and used to travel in economy class even when he was part of the Union cabinet. 

Fernandez passed away on Tuesday, January 29, at the age of 88. He was the defence Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government when the Kargil War broke out between India and Pakistan in 1999, and India conducted its nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998. 

''It's very sad news. He had been not keeping well for many days. He was like an elder brother to me. Our association started when I left my job and joined the Janata Party. Before that, he was like an icon to us. We used to hear about him -how big fighter he was. When I met him I felt like I was meeting my hero,'' Sinha told ANI. 

READ:  Former Defence Minister George Fernandes Passes Away At Age 88 In New Delhi

Once Fernandez was contesting elections from Banka in Bihar, it was an honour for me that he told Chandra Shekhar that he wants me to be in his pool-in charge and poll agent. I stayed at his house in Banka for many days. It was a tough fight. He did not want to win. Everybody used to say that he was a simple man. I used to feel good spending time with him. He did a lot of Defence Ministry,'' he added. 

Recalling an incident with Fernandez, Sinha said, ''He (Fernandez) had resigned from the Defence Ministry after Tehelka episode. I still remember once during this time he came to meet me. At that time some restrictions were imposed near North Block due to Republic Day. Fernandez did not call me and asked for special permission to reach North Block. He parked his car at Vijay Chowk and walked to my office. While talking he didn't mention this thing and left. Coincidentally, when I saw from the office window, I saw him walking on the road till Vijay Chowk. He used to travel in economy class when he was a minister and used to sit on the end seat.''