Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday expressed grief over the demise of senior Congress leader Murli Deora, who passed away in Mumbai this morning.
"It is very saddening news. Murli Deora was a great leader of Congress and Maharashtra. I pray for his soul, may he rest in peace," Fadnavis said.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi too condoled Deora's death.
"He was very good leader and more than that he was a good parliamentary. I pay tribute to him and his family," said Naqvi.
The 77-year-old senior Congress leader was suffering from cancer. He breathed his last at 3.25 am in Mumbai.
Deora is survived by his wife and two sons, including former MP Milind Deora. As per reports, the funeral will be held at Girgaun's Chandanwadi at 4 p.m.
The Congress veteran held several important positions during his decades long political career. During the UPA-1 regime Deora held the portfolio of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He had also served as the Mumbai Congress president for 22 years. He became the minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, in July 2011.