Odisha CM expresses grief over death of Somnath Chatterjee

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed grief over the death of former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

Patnaik described Chatterjee as a stalwart parliamentarian and one of greatest Speakers of Lok Sabha.

“Shocked and extremely sad to learn the passing away of Shri Somnath Chatterjee. A stalwart parliamentarian, popular amongst people and one of greatest Speakers of Lok Sabha. A huge loss to the Indian democracy. May his family and near & dear ones get the strength to cope,” tweeted the Chief Minister.

Shocked and extremely sad to learn the passing away of Shri #SomnathChatterjee. A stalwart parliamentarian, popular amongst people and one of greatest Speakers of Lok Sabha. A huge loss to the Indian democracy. May his family and near & dear ones get the strength to cope. #RIP

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 13, 2018

Chatterjee died in Kolkata at a private clinic following a cardiac arrest and prolonged illness on Monday. He was 89.

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also condoled the death of the former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

Deeply saddened by the demise of veteran politician and former Lok Sabha speaker Shri Somnath Chatterjee. Widely admired & respected, his death is a big loss to the Indian polity. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends & followers. ॐ शांति।#SomnathChatterjee

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 13, 2018