Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the death of former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Sunderlal Patwa, and described him as a "hardworking and dedicated leader".
Patwa, 92, died today morning at a local hospital after suffering a heart attack.
"(I am) saddened on the passing away of Sunderlal Patwa. He was a hardworking & dedicated leader whose good work as MP CM will be remembered," Modi said in a tweet.
He also said that Patwa strengthened the BJP and was always admired by workers.
"My thoughts are with his family. May his soul rest in peace," the PM said in another tweets.
BJP President Amit Shah also expressed his condolences over the demise of the veteran party leader.
He said that Patwa held various responsibilities from Jansangh to BJP, and that his hard work and dedication will continue to inspire the party workers.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Digvijaya Singh also paid tributes to Patwa, saying that his death is an irreparable loss for the state.
"Patwaji was a fearless and hardworking leader," he added.
Terming Patwa as a "political thinker", Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president Arun Yadav said his demise is not only a loss to the state but also to the country's politics.
MP's Public Relations Minister Narottam Mishra said that Patwa's politics was for serving the society. "He continuously worked for the welfare of the society and the poor," Mishra said.
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Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Das Tandon and CM Raman Singh have offered condolence on the demise of Patwa.
The Chhattisgarh government has also declared three-day mourning as a mark of respect to the veteran BJP leader.
"Patwa was a great friend of mine, who dedicated his life to welfare of poor and deprived ones. He had made an immense contribution for development of state," Governor Tandon said in a statement.
The Governor empathised with the grief-stricken family and prayed for the departed soul.
In his message, Chief Minister Raman Singh said "Patwa had occupied several important posts and served the masses with utmost dedication. He launched several welfare schemes for people. With his demise, a golden chapter in the Indian democracy has ended. It is irreparable loss to the state." The chief minister prayed for peace to the departed soul.
Meanwhile, the state's General Administration Department issued circular declaring three-day state mourning from 28 December to 30.
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Lok Sabha Speaker, Sumitra Mahajan said that the
country has lost a powerful and straightforward orator with the passing away of Patwa.
In her condolence message to the bereaved family, Mahajan said, "We have lost a powerful, straightforward and a complete and dedicated leader. He was the witness of the party's journey from Jansangh to BJP and it is a coincidence that he had passed away on the death anniversary of former BJP President Kushabhau Thakre."
Mahajan personally paid tributes to the departed leader by reaching the state capital.
"Patwaji had always followed the path of Thakre who was his ideal in politics," she added.
