Congress leader, former minister Murli Deora dies in Mumbai

Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Murli Deora died at the age of 77 in Mumbai on Monday morning after prolonged illness.His final rites are scheduled to take place on Monday at 4pm in Chandanvadi in Mumbai. His body will be kept at the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress office from 12 noon to 2pm for final respects.He is survived by his wife and two sons including former MP Milind Deora. He held the portfolio of Petroleum and Natural Gas during the UPA-1 regime. The Congress veteran had also served as the Mumbai Congress President for 22 years. He had close relations with the Congress high command in Delhi.In 1977, Deora was one of the youngest Mayors of Mumbai where he began his long innings in public life in India. A four time Parliamentarian in the Lower House and a sitting member of the Upper House, Deora had chaired important Parliamentary Standing Committees such as Finance.He was elected as the Chairman of Parliamentarians for Global Action and International Network of Parliamentarians. An active member of the Red Cross Movement, he was elected as Vice President of the Federation of International Red Cross and Crescent Society.He joined the Union Cabinet in 2006, shortly before he turned 70 and led oil diplomacy in Myanmar, Algeria and Egypt, and held talks with ministers from Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia and Comoros.Condolences from party leaders started coming in soon after the news spread. "Murli Bhai is no more. A personal loss to me. A great Patriot and a Congress Stalwart we shall miss his wit and his sane advice. One of the most amiable persons I knew. He had friends across Party Line. We shall forever miss him. Our condolences to the family," senior party leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted."Murli Deora done great service for Mumbai big loss fir Mumbai & Congress," BJP leader Kirit Somaiya tweeted.Rajya Sabha will be adjourned for the day as a mark of respect to the former minister.