Mumbai:
Politicians cutting across party lines in Maharashtra paid rich tributes to veteran Congress leader Murli Deora, who died in Mumbai this morning.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is in Nagpur, described Mr Deora as one of the tallest leaders from the state.
"He leaves behind a rich legacy of political and social work," Mr Fadnavis said.
Former Congress MP Priya Dutt said Mr Deora was a mentor to her in politics after her father Sunil Dutt died.
Former minister Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan said Mr Deora encouraged young leadership and strengthened the party in Mumbai.
Natinalist Congress Party or NCP leader Praful Patel described Mr Deora as a leader who groomed young talent.
Maharashtra Rural Development Minister Pankaja Munde said she was sad and shocked to learn about Mr Deora's demise.
"Since I was small, I have seen his dedication to his work and his party," she said.
BJP MP Poonam Mahajan said the senior Congress leader was a family friend as her father Pramod Mahajan and Mr Deora were colleagues in Parliament.