President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of former union minister and senior Congress leader G. Venkataswamy.
"I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of G. Venkataswamy," he said in his condolence message.
President Mukherjee said Venkataswamy was a senior Congress leader, veteran Parliamentarian and an able administrator who served the nation in different capacities.
"He served with distinction as a member of the Union Council of Ministers. In his death, we have lost an eminent leader who always worked for the upliftment of the underprivileged and marginalized sections of society," President Mukherjee said.
"Please convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and Venkataswamy's countless friends and well-wishers. I pray to the Almighty to give you and your family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss," he added.
Popularly known as 'Kaka', Venkataswamy was elected to the assembly of the undivided Andhra Pradesh in 1950 and held several key positions in the government as well in the party.
He served in the Indira Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao Governments and was also the Pradesh Congress Chairman for Andhra Pradesh.