<p>Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday condoled the death of former Union minister Jaswant Singh and lauded his contribution towards the country.</p>.<p>Singh, 82, a close associate of ex-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died in New Delhi on Sunday following a long spell of illness.</p>.<p>Koshyari said Singh was fiercely patriotic, articulate and eloquent and made his mark while holding defence, external affairs and finance portfolios in the Vajpayee-led government.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/rip-jaswant-singh-political-figures-condole-death-of-former-union-minister-893655.html" target="_blank">RIP Jaswant Singh: Political figures condole death of former Union Minister</a></strong></p>.<p>"His learned speeches and interventions within Parliament and outside were awaited and appreciated by one and all. I had the proud privilege of knowing Jaswant Singh ji intimately. In his demise, India has lost a world class diplomat and statesman," the governor said in a statement.</p>.<p>Pawar in a message on Twitter said Singh was an eminent parliamentarian and served the nation in varied capacities.</p>.<p>Singh, who was considered close to Vajpayee and BJP veteran L K Advani, held defence, finance and external affairs portfolios in the Vajpayee government.</p>.<p>He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate after the BJP did not give him ticket, but lost the poll. </p>
<p>Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday condoled the death of former Union minister Jaswant Singh and lauded his contribution towards the country.</p>.<p>Singh, 82, a close associate of ex-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died in New Delhi on Sunday following a long spell of illness.</p>.<p>Koshyari said Singh was fiercely patriotic, articulate and eloquent and made his mark while holding defence, external affairs and finance portfolios in the Vajpayee-led government.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/rip-jaswant-singh-political-figures-condole-death-of-former-union-minister-893655.html" target="_blank">RIP Jaswant Singh: Political figures condole death of former Union Minister</a></strong></p>.<p>"His learned speeches and interventions within Parliament and outside were awaited and appreciated by one and all. I had the proud privilege of knowing Jaswant Singh ji intimately. In his demise, India has lost a world class diplomat and statesman," the governor said in a statement.</p>.<p>Pawar in a message on Twitter said Singh was an eminent parliamentarian and served the nation in varied capacities.</p>.<p>Singh, who was considered close to Vajpayee and BJP veteran L K Advani, held defence, finance and external affairs portfolios in the Vajpayee government.</p>.<p>He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate after the BJP did not give him ticket, but lost the poll. </p>