MUMBAI: Former Petroleum Minister and veteran Congress leader Murli Deora died on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was given a tearful adieu in the evening in the presence of hundreds of supporters and party leaders including Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
Deora was 77. He is survived by his wife and two sons -- former Union Minister of State for Shipping Milind Deora and businessman Mukul Deora.
A three-time Rajya Sabha member, Deora was known for his strong grip on the affairs of the party’s city unit. He had served as president of the unit for a record 22 years. He began his four-decade-long political career as a member of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. He was also Mayor of the city and represented the South Mumbai thrice. The Congress had nominated the Gandhi family loyalist to the Rajya Sabha two years ago despite his fragile health. His good relations with well-known industrialists helped him emerge as the party’s key fundraiser.
Deora’s body was consigned to flames by Milind and Mukul at the Chandanwadi cremation ground. Apart from the Gandhis, Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani, Union Minister Piyush Goyal and former CM Prithviraj Chavan were present at the funeral.