Leaders cutting across party lines condoled the death of Union Rural Development Minister, >Gopinath Munde on Tuesday. As news of Mr. Munde’s demise broke, condolence messages began to pour in. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to express his grief at the passing away of his Cabinet colleague.
“Extremely saddened & shocked by the demise of my friend & colleague Gopinath Munde ji. His demise is a major loss for the Nation & the Govt.” Mr. Modi tweeted.
Vice-President Hamid Ansari said Mr. Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his State and the country in various capacities with great distinction. “In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all,” Mr. Ansari said.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Mohan Bhagwat, his deputy Bhaiyyaji Joshi and Suresh Soni also condoled the death. In a message they described Mr. Munde as a leader with an assertive working style and said he was expected to create new milestones as the Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Among others who paid their respects were Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Murli Manohar Joshi, Sumitra Mahajan, Vijay Goel, Ramesh Pokhriyal and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Union Ministers Radha Mohan Singh and Harsimrat Kaur Badal along with the rest of their Cabinet colleagues also expressed grief over the untimely death of Mr. Munde.
Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav and Biju Janata Dal leader Jay Panda also turned up to offer their tributes.
The Central Secretariat of the Communist Party of India in its condolence message said, “We are very much saddened and grieved at the sudden passing away of Gopinath Munde – an important minister in the newly installed BJP government at the Centre. To be deprived of life when only a week back he was inducted in the ministry is indeed most unfortunate.”
