Modi, leaders condole death of Arindam Sengupta

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders on Thursday condoled the death of veteran journalist Arindam Sengupta, saying "he impacted many lives through journalism".

Sengupta, 61, managing editor of The Times of India, died of cancer early in the morning.

Modi tweeted: "An accomplished editor who was widely admired, Arindam Sengupta impacted many lives through journalism. Pained by his demise. RIP."

Congress president Sonia Gandhi also expressed shock and grief. She said the void left by his death would be hard to fill.

Party vice president Rahul Gandhi tweeted that Indian journalism "has lost a much loved and admired voice".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal described Sengupta as "a great human being".

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley added: "Arindam Sengupta's passing away is a great loss to journalism. A complete professional and a perfect gentleman."

Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury also called him "a gentleman-journalist" who mentored many young persons in the profession and said he was a good friend too.

Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai wrote: "One of the last gentlemen of journalism: an editor of the old era with a passion for news."