PM Modi expresses grief on demise of Congress leader Murli Deora

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness as senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Milind Deora passed away on early Monday morning in Mumbai.

"Just yesterday I had spoken to Murli Deora's family and asked about his health. Very sad to hear the unfortunate news today. A dedicated leader, Murli Deora's warm nature made him popular across party lines. News of his demise is saddening," tweeted PM Modi.

He paid his deepest condolences to Milind Deora and the Deora family on his demise.

"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 am in Mumbai.

He was 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.

Deora held several important positions during his decades long political career. During the UPA-1 regime Deora held the portfolio of 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 the 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.