Rahul, Manmohan condole Gurudas Kamat's death (Lead)

New Delhi : Congress President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party leader Mallikarjuna Kharge on Wednesday condoled the death of former Union Minister Gurudas Kamat.

Gandhi, who is in Germany, said Kamat's death was a massive blow to the party.

"The sudden passing away of senior leader Gurudas Kamatji is a massive blow to the Congress family. Gurudasji helped build the Congress in Mumbai and was greatly respected and admired by all. My condolences to his family," he tweeted.

Manmohan Singh said: "I am shocked and saddened to learn about the sudden and untimely demise of Gurudas Kamat. My deepest condolences to all members of his family. I pray God for the departed soul."

Kharge wrote to Kamat's son Sunil, expressing his condolences.

"I am extremely saddened to learn about the demise of your beloved father... He was a dedicated public servant and mass leader of Maharashtra. He will be missed by the country and Congress party in Maharashtra," Kharge said.

Kamat, an advocate by profession, started his political career as a NSUI and Youth Congress leader.

"He performed all responsibilities bestowed upon him by the party with great dedication, until his last breath," he added.

Kamat died in a private hospital here following a massive heart attack. He was 63.

Congress Communications incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted: "Shocked and deeply anguished to learn about the sudden demise of ... Kamatji. No words are enough to describe the sense of loss."