New Delhi: The sudden demise of Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave has taken the political fraternity by shock, with leaders expressing grief and condoling the former's death.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the 'personal loss'. "Absolutely shocked by the sudden demise of my friend & a very respected colleague, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave ji. My condolences. Anil Madhav Dave ji will be remembered as a devoted public servant. He was tremendously passionate towards conserving the environment. I was with Anil Madhav Dave ji till late last evening, discussing key policy issues. This demise is a personal loss," Modi tweeted.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in a statement, also condoled the passing away of the minister.
Shocked by his sudden demise, Gandhi said that Dave was soft spoken and gentle human being. "He will be fondly remembered for his humble personality," she added.
Gandhi conveyed her condolences to the members of Dave's family, admirers and supporters.
Expressing shock over the same, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also extended his condolence.
"Shocked and extremely sad to know the sudden demise of my colleague Sri Anil Madhav Dave, Environment Minister. My heartfelt condolences," Naidu tweeted.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also prayed for peace to the departed soul.
"Deeply shocked & saddened by demise of my colleague, Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave ji. May God render peace to the departed soul," Jaitley tweeted.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar took to Twitter to express shock at the 'untimely' demise.
"Shocked & saddened by untimely demise of Shri. Anil Dave. India has lost a promising leader who had immense concern for our environment," Parrikar tweeted.
Janata Dal (United) leader K.C. Tyagi also expressed grief over the sudden death, saying it was a personal loss for him. "It is a personal loss for me. I had the fortune to work with him in the Rajya Sabha for many years. He believed that his concerns about environment would become a matter of concern for all," Tyagi told ANI.
Former Union Minister and SeniorCongress leader Jairam Ramesh today condoled the demise of Anil Dave.
Describing the BJP leader as a "very nice man," Ramesh in his condolence message remembered the support Dave had extended to him during his stint as Environment Minister in the previous Congress-led UPA government.
"He supported whatever I did when I was minister," Ramesh said.
The Rajya Sabha MP said Dave, who was an "ideal chairman of the Rajya Sabha select committees," had special interest in river conservation.
"He listened to everybody... (He) did not give offence to his political opponents," Ramesh said.
Anil Madhav Dave passed away earlier today at the age of 60.
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member, Dave represented Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha since 2009.
