Gurudas Kamat, former union minister and senior Congress leader, died at a private hospital in Delhi after suffering a heart attack this morning. He was 63.
Mr Kamat complained of breathlessness and was rushed to the hospital by his driver but he died on the way. His family in Mumbai rushed to Delhi.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi visited the hospital and paid her last respects to the leader. Her son and party chief Rahul Gandhi condoled the leader's death, calling it a "massive blow to the Congress family." Mr Gandhi is not in the country and he tweeted his condolences from Germany.
The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamat ji, is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudas ji helped build the Congress party in Mumbai & was greatly respected & admired by all. My condolences to his family in their time of grief. May his soul rest in peace.
- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 22, 2018
Many Congress leaders tweeted their condolences on the leader's death. Ashok Gehlot tweeted:
Shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the sudden demise of Senior Congress leader Sh. Gurudas Kamat ji. His passing away is an irreparable loss for us. My heartfelt condolences to his family members, may god give them strength to bear this loss. May his soul Rest in peace.
- Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) August 22, 2018
Other Congress leaders also condoled Gurudas Kamat's death. Maharashtra Youth Congress Founder Satyajeet Tambe Patil called his death "a personal loss" as well as the Congress's loss. IPL Chairman and former minister Rajeev Shukla also condoled the leader's death.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee tweeted his condolences as well. "Shocked and pained at the sudden and untimely demise of Shri Gurudas Kamat. A colleague in the government and the party for many years, his passing away at such young age is tragic," he tweeted.
Home minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his anguish:
Anguished by the sudden demise of former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Shri Gurudas Kamat. He was a seasoned leader who had also served the nation as the MoS in the MHA. My thoughts are with his family and supporters.
- Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 22, 2018
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala also tweeted on the leader's death and extended condolences to his family and friends:
Shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the sudden demise of Senior Congress Leader Sh Gurudas Kamat ji.
- Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) August 22, 2018
No words are enough to describe the sense of loss.
My deepest condolences to his family, friends and followers.
I pray for the departed soul. pic.twitter.com/nwFJivKAim
In 2017, Gurudas Kamat had resigned from all positions that he held at the Congress however he was highly regarded by everyone at the party.
Gurudas Kamat served as the former Mumbai Congress President. An advocate by profession, Gurudas Kamat was a Member of the Parliament for the Mumbai North West constituency of Maharashtra in 2009 and Mumbai North East constituency of Maharashtra in 1984, 1991, 1998 and 2004.
Gurudas Kamat served as the Minister of State for Home Affairs with additional charge of Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India during 2009 to 2011. In July 2011, he resigned as minister. In 2013, he was appointed General Secretary All India Congress Committee and was also appointed as a member of the Congress Working Committee.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
