Sonia remembers Dasmunsi as ‘devout political activist’

New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS) Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday condoled the death of former Union Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and remembered him as a "devout political activist and one of the tallest leaders of West Bengal in recent times".

Gandhi, expressing heartfelt condolences on the passing away of the senior Congress leader, said: "In a career spanning almost five decades, Dasmunsi served the party and government illustriously."

She said his immense work at the grassroots would be remembered for posterity. "Despite his prolonged illness, he remained popular in imagination of his people. His death is an irreparable loss to the Congress party and the country."

Expressing her solidarity with his family and supporters, particularly his wife Deepa Dasmunsi, Gandhi prayed for peace to the departed soul.

Congress leader and former Union Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who was in coma since 2008, died on Monday at Apollo Hospital here, doctors said.