New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi today condoled the death of party veteran A R Antulay, describing him as one of the most significant leaders of Maharashtra.
Sonia said she was deeply saddened by the demise of the first Muslim Chief Minister of Maharashtra who had a long public innings.
“He was a brilliant legal mind and committed member of the Congress party. He was known for his frank contributions on party forums and will be remembered for his being committed to the party in trying times,” the Congress President said.
Noting that Antulay devoted his life to the ideology of the party and made significant contribution to the nation as a Chief Minister, Union minister and Parliamentarian, she said, “The Congress party stands with the members of Antulay's family in this hour of grief.”
Rahul said Antulay “will be remembered by the party for his commitment and leadership. My heartfelt condolences to his family in their grief”.
Antulay (85), who had to resign as Chief Minister in the wake of the ‘Cement Scandal', died in Mumbai today after a prolonged illness. He was Union Minister for Minority Affairs in the UPA-I government.
