Deora's multi- faceted contributions will be remembered for long: Naidu

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday condoled the death of former Union Minister Murli Deora, saying his multi- faceted contributions will be remembered for long.

"I am deeply saddened by the demise of Murli Deora. In his death, we have lost a veteran parliamentarian, an experienced leader in public life and an able administrator. His multi-faceted contributions will be remembered for long," Naidu said.

"I convey my deep sympathies to the members of the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace," he added.

The 77-year-old senior Congress leader was suffering from cancer. He breathed his last at 3.25 a.m. this morning in Mumbai.

He is survived by his wife and two sons, including former Member of Parliament Milind Deora.

As per reports, the funeral will be held at Girgaum's Chandanwadi Crematorium at 4 p.m.

Deora held several important positions during his decades long political career. During the UPA-1 regime, Deora was the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas. The Congress veteran had also served as the Mumbai Congress president for 22 years.

In 2006, he joined the Union Cabinet and led India's oil diplomacy in Myanmar, Algeria and Egypt, and held talks with ministers from Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia and Comoros.

Deora also hosted the first India-Africa Hydrocarbon Conference and Exhibition in November 2007.

He became the minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, in July 2011.