Munde a charismatic leader: Maharashtra governor

Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan Tuesday described Munde, who died following an accident in Delhi, as "one of the most charismatic leaders who had potential to provide leadership to the state and assume even higher responsibilities at national level".

"An organisation man, Munde had risen to the ranks in public life by dint of hard work, especially for the poor and the downtrodden. Despite holding various positions in public life, Munde never lost touch with the masses at the grassroots level...He was a Loknayak," Sankaranarayanan said in a condolence message.

Shiv Sena MP and spokesperson Sanjay Raut said Munde's death has caused an irreparable loss to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"In the new regime, he was the topmost leader from the state in Delhi. It is not just the Shiv Sena-BJP which has lost a towering leader, but Maharashtra also," Raut said.

Munde died following a car accident in Delhi while he was on his way to the airport.