Sonia Gandhi pays tributes to Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today condoled the demise of senior leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, saying it is an "irreparable loss" to the party.

Dasmunsi, who was in coma since 2008, passed away at a hospital here today. He was 72.

His body will be taken to the Congress headquarters on Akbar Road here, where top party leaders including its vice president Rahul Gandhi will pay their homage.

In her condolence message, Sonia Gandhi described Dasmunsi as a "devout" political activist and "one of the tallest" leaders of West Bengal. She said Dasmunsi served the party and government "illustriously".

"His work at the immense work at the grassroots would be remembered for posterity," she said.

Despite his prolonged illness, he remained popular among his people. "His death is an irreparable loss to the Congress party and the country," she said.

Gandhi expressed solidarity with the leader's family, particularly his wife Deepa Dasmunsi, and supporters.

The former Union minister had suffered a stroke in 2008 and was hospitalised since then.