Former defense minister George Fernandes(88), who had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease, passed away today morning, after prolonged illness. He had recently contracted swine flu. George Fernandes had been a pivotal part of the Pokhran Nuclear tests and the Kargil war, and between 2009-10, he had his last stint as a Rajya Sabha MP.

As renowned leaders from across the nation are pouring in condolences, BJP leader and MP Subramanian Swamy has opened up on his friendship with George Fernandes and Indira Gandhi's fear on him. Swamy said that Indira Gandhi feared George Fernandes, and only after his arrest she was relieved, adding that during the emergency, while he stayed underground, George Fernandes fought over the ground, and expressed grief on his passing away.

Subramanian Swamy said that George Fernandes had always hated Congress and the Gandhi family, and bravely lead strikes that shook governments. He also recollected an incident when he wanted to stop Sonia Gandhi's plans to become the Prime minister, on citizenship grounds and added that he was the best defense minister who made Siachen livable for the soldiers, and visited them quite often. George Fernandes is a rare person and a towering personality in Indian politics, said Subramanian Swamy as he went down the memory lane.