Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: He was a senior Congress leader, a valued Cabinet colleague and an able administrator. We will miss him in the government.
Pawan Bansal, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs: The nation has lost an able administrator and a popular leader of the masses. He was not only a valued colleague, but also a personal friend.
Ashwini Kumar, Minister of State for Planning: He wasn't born with a political silver spoon. He rose through the rough and tumble of Maharashtra politics. He remained humble at the height of his power.
Sharad Pawar, NCP Chief: Not only the state of Maharashtra but the entire nation has lost a great leader and promising statesman. He was a great orator, an able administrator and a versatile person. His journey from a village Sarpanch to the Chief Minister and Union cabinet minister was admirable.
Prithviraj Chavan, Maharashtra Chief Minister: Indian politics has lost a very able leader. I personally feel the loss of a dear friend. His rise from a village sarpanch to a union minister is an inspiring story. He was concerned about the welfare of Maharashtra. He aspired to make Mumbai a world class city.
Manikrao Thakre, President, MPCC: He was a very tall leader and after his passing away, it is a great loss to Maharashtra. It is very difficult to fill his void, he had a lot of experience in each department.
Milind Deora, Congress: He could connect with senior and young politicians. He supported me when I first became an MP
Jaya Bachchan, Samajwadi Party: I've known Vilasrao ji for very long time... I know his sons very well... wonderful, warm hospitable people... it's an untimely demise of a very promising leader. I pray to God to give his family strength to bear this. My heart really goes out to his young wife.
Prakash Javadekar, BJP: This news of sudden death of Vilasrao Deshmukh is tragic. People were hoping against hope he would recover, but that did not happen. He was a large-hearted politician and helped everyone who went to him. Mr Deshmukh was my senior in college, so his death is a personal loss.
D Raja, CPI: Very sad Mr Deshmukh passed away. My party and I condole and mourn his death.
Chaggan Bhujbal, NCP: A very intelligent personality and mature politician. I worked with him in 1999 - he was the chief minister and I was the Deputy chief minister. I have lost a good friend and it is a big loss to the state also.
Jitendra Awhad, NCP: This is a moment of grief and shock for Maharashtra. He was a very versatile personality, a person who had a good connect with people both you and old and who the masses could relate to.
Sharad Yadav, JD(U): I pray that his family gets the strength to face this tragedy. It is a great loss to the country.
Shahnawaz Hussain, BJP: He worked tirelessly for Maharashtra. His loss would be deeply felt.
Rajeev Shukla, Congress: In politics, he never had personal enmity. He rose above party lines and had personal equations. He was never flustered or angry on politics. It's not just a loss for a political party but to the entire political arena.
Praful Patel, NCP: He was one of the few leaders who knew people at the district level. We had the benefit of his wisdom and experience in the cabinet. May his soul rest in peace and may his family find the strength to get through these difficult times.