Extremely saddened, shocked by the demise of Gopinath Munde: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock at the sudden death of Union Rural Development Minister Gopinathrao Pandurang Munde. Munde died in a road accident in Delhi on Tuesday morning when he was on his way to the airport.

Modi said, "Extremely saddened and shocked by the demise of my friend and colleague Gopinath Mundeji. His demise is a major loss for the nation and the government. Mundeji was a true mass leader. Hailing from backward sections of society, he rose to great heights and tirelessly served people."

He added, "My tributes to a dynamic leader whose premature demise leaves a void hard to fill. Condolences to Mundeji's family. We stand by them in this hour of grief."

The accident took place when Munde was on his way to the Indira Gandhi International airport to fly to Mumbai. It took place when when Munde's car was moving from Lodhi Road towards the Aurobindo Chowk.

Munde had a victory rally scheduled in Beed and Parali today. He had won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from the Beed constituency.

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said that the accident took place at 6.30 am on Tuesday morning and was declared dead at AIIMS. "There was no breathing, no pulse, no cardiac function when Mr Munde was brought to the hospital. Despite efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 7.20 am," said AIIMS spokesperson Dr Amit Gupta.

Munde's Ambassador car was reportedly hit by an Indica. The driver of the Indica has been arrested.

A driver and Munde's security guard, who were with Munde in his car at the time of the accident, are reportedly safe.

Gopinath Munde was the brother-in-law of the late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan. He had married Mahajan's younger sister. After Mahajan's death, Munde was the guardian of the Mahajan family. Munde was a very big OBC leader from Maharashtra. He was very accessible and had a huge following. He wanted to reform and modernize the Rural development ministry.