Extremely saddened, shocked by the demise of Gopinath Munde: Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Union Cabinet would meet at 4 pm on Tuesday to offer its condolence over the death of Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde following a road accident.

The government has already decided that the national flag would be flown half mast in Delhi and capitals of States and Union Territories today as a mark of respect to the prominent Maharshtra BJP leader.

Munde died apparently of shock and cardiac arrest suffered during a road accident early this morning here.

64-year-old Munde, who made his entry into the Union Cabinet for the first time after the Lok Sabha polls, was on his way to the airport here when his car was hit by another vehicle at Prithviraj road-Tughlak road roundabout in the heart of the capital.

Condolences messages pour in for Gopinath Munde

Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi said he was extremely sad and shocked by the sudden demise of his friend and colleague Gopinath Munde.

Munde was the rural development minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet.

“Extremely saddened & shocked by demise of my friend & colleague Gopinath Munde ji. His demise is a major loss for the Nation & the Govt,” Narendra Modi tweeted.

“Gopinath Munde ji was a true mass leader. Hailing from backward sections of society, he rose to great heights & tirelessly served people,” he tweeted. “My tributes to a dynamic leader whose premature demise leaves a void hard to fill.”

“Condolences to Munde ji's family. We stand by them in this hour of grief.”

BJP President Rajnath Singh also expressed his condolences before he was left for AIIMS. "Deeply shocked to know of Shri Gopinath Munde's demise. He was a grassroots leader and known for his concern for poor people and farmers. Mundeji's death is an irreparable loss to the BJP and he has left a big void in Mahrashtra's political and social life," Singh tweeted.

Vasundhara Raje, Raman Singh, Fadnavis express condolences State BJP leaders including Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh expressed shock at the death of BJP leader Gopinath Munde.

Minister of State Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar: "It is a very shocking incident. I still cannot believe he is not among us."

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj: I am shocked to know about sudden demise of my senior colleague Shri Gopinath Munde. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda: Shocked to know my colleague Shri Gopinath Munde ji's demise. It's a big loss for us. I express my condolences to the family and friends.

Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Goel: Shocked to hear the news of Shri Gopinath Munde's demise. Heartfelt condolences to the family at this hour. May his soul rest in peace.

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Saddened to hear the untimely death of our beloved Rural Development Minister Shri Gopinath Munde. My sincere condolences.

Union Tourism Minister Shripad Naik: It is an irreversible loss for the BJP. Munde was among those leaders who were instrumental in growth of party in Maharashtra, Goa and also nationally.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor offered his condolences to the Munde family saying it was shocking to hear of his demise at his political peak. "Shocking news of demise of Gopinath Munde at his political peak. Sincere condolences to Munde family, BJP & his Government colleagues," Tharoor tweeted.

Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh also expressed grief at the loss. "Shocked to hear the sad demise of Gopinath Munde a personal friend and a great leader. My heartfelt condolences to the Family," Singh tweeted.

Sonia Gandhi, Congress President also expressed her condolence: Heartfelt condolences on the sudden demise of Shri Gopinath Munde in an unfortunate road accident.

Rahul Gandhi: Shocked at untimely demise of Shri Gopinath Munde in a road accident,offer deepest condolences to family.

Sharad Pawar, NCP chief: Shocking news.He was a grassroot leader, nation has lost a great public servant.

Hamid Ansari: Profoundly saddened at the passing away of Shri Gopinath Munde in a tragic road accident, condolences to family.

Shivraj Chauhan: Munde ji was like my elder brother,a leader of the ppl.Can't imagine Maharashtra politics without him.

Sharad Yadav, JDU chief: He (Munde) was my very old friend, devastated by this news.Nation had high hopes from him.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi expressed shock over Munde's "untimely demise".

"Shocked and pained at the untimely death of Munde; a big loss to the nation. Our condolences to the family," Congress leader Ajay Maken tweeted.

Condoling Munde's death, Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh described him as a "personal friend" and "a great leader".

Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed, who had raised the issue of Munde's educational qualification, said he was shocked by the death of the union minister.

Union Minister for Road, Transport, Highways & Shipping, Nitin Gadkari, who was one of the first ones to reach AIIMS after the accident, said in the sad demise of Munde, the nation has lost a great leader.

"He had come up from a humble background and built his strong base in the masses to become a national leader. He was a leader who had insight into both, organisational as well as administrative issues," he said.

Consumer Affairs and Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said Munde was always concerned about the problems of others.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad offered his heartfelt condolences to Munde's family, noting that he believed in the "empowerment" of the poor and deprived.

Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said he was shaken by the new of Munde's death. "I have lost a friend."

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi and Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh also expressed shock and grief over the minister's death. Gandhi termed Munde as an "able and dedicated" leader.

Law and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad recalled his association with Munde, calling him not only a big mass leader but also a very nice human being who would be "jovial and completely informal".

"We are totally devastated with his cruel and unfortunate demise," he said.

Railways Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said Munde worked for the welfare of the common man in his long and illustrious public life.

"Munde was a dedicated and a distinguished public servant and his contribution in social and public life would always be remembered," he said.