A career of great promise and significance has been cut short in its prime. Mr Pilot was a staunch nationalist who identified himself with the aspirations of the people, especially deprived sections of our society. His absence will be keenly felt in Parliament and in the nation as a whole. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved wife, the members of his family and a large number of his associates.

President K.R. Narayanan

We had lot of expectations from him. The country also needed a leader like him. Whether in power or in opposition, the fighter leader served the nation.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee

A renowned social and political worker, Shri Pilot was an effective administrator and an able parliamentarian. He lost no opportunity to focus the attention of the House to the problems faced by the peasants, ex-servicemen and the deprived sections of the society. Even as an Opposition leader, he maintained decorum while being critical. He was a leader of the masses, a person who would always speak his mind without fear or favour. Shri Rajesh Pilots impeccable integrity is worthy of emulation. An instance in 1999 comes to my mind which also highlights Shri Pilots exemplary sense of integrity. During the Twelfth Lok Sabha, on 8th March, 1999, immediately after Question Hour, there was a demand from some Members in the House for a statement by a Minister, who had resigned from the Union Council of Ministers. Shri Pilot also pressed for the statement on the assumption that the item was included in some previous days List of Business. Later, when it was brought to his notice that the item was not listed, he withdrew his remarks on the floor of the House and as a self-corrective measure, he decided to forego his allowance and sent them a cheque of Rs 500 for being deposited in the Lok Sabha Secretariat Employees Welfare Fund.

Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi

Not only the Congress Party, but his followers, his admirers throughout the country and this House which he represented for six terms, have lost a most dynamic and dedicated leader. His deep concern for the poor, for the farmers, for the labourers, for the backward classes in general, his frank and candid demeanour earned him a very special place in the hearts of the people of our country. On Shri Rajesh Pilots passing away we mourn the loss of a leader of great capability and promise. We shall all miss him greatly. He is no longer amongst us. But his memory and his work will endure.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi