Leaders condole death of President's wife Suvra Mukherjee

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and leaders of other political parties today condoled the death of First Lady Suvra Mukherjee, saying her warm nature endeared her to everyone.

"The vice president joins the nation in offering condolences to the President on his bereavement," a statement by his office said.

The prime minister tweeted: "Pained to know about the passing away of Mrs Suvra Mukherjee. My condolences to Rashtrapati ji & his family in this hour of grief."

He said Suvra Mukherjee will be remembered as a lover of art, culture & music. "Her warm nature endeared her to everyone she met," Modi added. President Pranab Mukherjee's wife Suvra had been ailing for some time and she passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 74.

Mukherjee got married to Suvra on July 13, 1957. The First Lady hailed from Jessore, now in Bangladesh, and had migrated to Kolkata at the age of 10 years.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi expressed deep grief over the passing away of the First Lady. Extending her condolences to the President and members of his family, Sonia said that she, the Congress and the entire country stood with them in this moment of bereavement.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed deep sorrow and grief, saying the First lady was grace and dignity personified and "a silent source" of support for Mukherjee during his long political career.

"I stand in solidarity with Rashtrapati ji and his family in this hour of grief," said Azad, who is also Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Cabinet colleagues to conveyed their condolences.

"Saddened to hear the news of Smt. Suvra Mukherjee's demise. My heartfelt condolences to Shri Pranab Mukherjee and his bereaved family," Singh tweeted.

Expressing grief over the death of President's wife, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she knew her for more than three decades as a simple and loveable person.

"Saddened to hear that Rashtrapati ji's wife Suvra boudi (sister-in-law) is no more. Cannot believe she has passed. Such is life. We have to accept the truth.

"I have known Suvra boudi for more than three decades. She was simple, lovable and a caring housewife. May God give Rashtrapati ji and his family the strength to bear the loss," she said in a series of tweets.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar too extended his condolences. "Sad to hear about the demise of Shri Pranab Mukherjee ji's wife. My deepest condolences to Pranab da and family. @RashtrapatiBhvn Nitish Kumar."

Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar also condoled the death of the first lady.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said in a tweet, "Deepest condolences to the family of the President of India Pranab Mukherjee on a sad demise of his wife Suvra Mukherjee."

Expressing his heartfelt condolences, Punjab and Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki prayed to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul.

In his condolence message, Uttarakhand Governor Krishna Kant Paul described the First Lady as diligent and dedicated social worker and said her demise was a great loss to the society.

Paying rich tributes, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed profound grief over the demise of First Lady Suvra Mukherjee. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Suvra Mukherjee.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also mourned the death. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat offered his condolences.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also condoled the death. Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Kailash Meghwal prayed the god to give strength to members of family and relatives to bear the loss.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad too extended his condolences.

Meanwhile, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha and former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh condoled the death of President Pranab Mukherjee's wife.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed deep sorrow saying "she was very soft-spoken and simple woman".

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot condoled the demise and said that the first lady always given importance to social values in her life.

Punjab Congress President Partap Singh Bajwa and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Gulam Ahmed Mir expressed deep sadness at the passing away of first lady.

Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S Ramadoss and his son and former Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss extended their condolences.