Rahul Gandhi condoles death of R K Dhawan

Congress president Rahul Gandhi today condoled the death of former Union minister R K Dhawan and said his demise will leave a deep void in the party, of which he was an important member.

Dhawan, who was former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's close aide and part of her inner circle during the Emergency, died at the age of 81 at a local hospital last evening.

He will be cremated tomorrow at the Lodhi Crematorium at 4.30 PM.

"The passing away of RK Dhawan ji, who I have known since childhood, leaves a deep void in the Congress family of which he was an important, senior member - loved, respected and admired by all. My condolences go out to his friends and his family in their time of grief," Gandhi said on Twitter.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel also took to Twitter to express his condolences.

"The demise of RK Dhawan ji, marks the end of an era and leaves an irreplaceable void in the Congress party. He played a critical role in party and government in very challenging times. My condolences to the family in this hour of grief," Patel said.

Dhawan was admitted to the B L Kapur hospital last Tuesday for age-related ailments.