Leaders across the political spectrum on Sunday united in expressing their grief at senior journalist Vinod Mehta's demise, attending his funeral to pay their respects to the memory of the former editor chairman of the Outlook India magazine.
Among those present at the Lodhi crematorium in the national capital were Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Lal Krishna Advani, Union Informational and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley, Minister of State for Informational and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit and Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
The parties also recognized Mehta's contribution in the field of journalism, with the Congress saying that he had 'pioneered' a journalistic stream that stood for liberal and progressive values, while the AAP termed him a 'versatile, frank and fearless editor'.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled Mehta's demise.
"Frank and direct in his opinions, Vinod Mehta will be remembered as a fine journalist and writer. Condolences to his family on his demise," he tweeted.
Mehta passed away in the early hours of the day after prolonged illness. He was one of the most influential editors and had launched a number of successful publications such as the Sunday Observer, Indian Post, The Independent and The Pioneer (Delhi edition).