Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today condoled the death of veteran parliamentarian Somnath Chatterjee, describing him as one of the greatest speakers of Lok Sabha.
Chatterjee, 89, passed away at a private hospital in Kolkata this morning following multiple organ failure.
"Shocked and extremely sad to learn the passing away of Shri #SomnathChatterjee. A stalwart parliamentarian, popular amongst people and one of greatest Speakers of Lok Sabha. A huge loss to the Indian democracy. May his family and near & dear ones get the strength to cope. #RIP," Patnaik tweeted.
Chatterjee was the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2009.
Odisha's Information and Public Relations minister Pratap Jena also condoled sad demise of Chaterjee.