Union Cabinet mourns Munde`s death, says he was a visionary

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet Tuesday condoled the death of Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde and said that in his demise the country has lost a visionary leader who was held in high esteem across the political spectrum.

A special cabinet meeting convened this evening to mourn Munde`s death passed a resolution to place on record its appreciation of his services to the nation in different capacities both at the state and national levels. "A grassroot politician with a mass base and an ardent advocate of democracy...The Cabinet places on record its appreciation of Gopinath Munde`s services to the nation in different capacities both at the state and national level," the resolution said. The Cabinet also expressed its "deep sense of loss and grief" over his death. "In his untimely demise, the nation has lost an experienced and visionary leader who was held in high esteem across the political spectrum. On behalf of the entire nation, the Cabinet extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," it said. Munde, also a popular backward class leader from Maharashtra, died after his liver ruptured and he suffered a cardiac arrest following a road accident here this morning.