NEW DELHI: Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and leaders of other political parties today condoled the death of First Lady Suvra Mukherjee, saying her warm nature endeared her to everyone.
"The Vice President joins the nation in offering condolences to the President on his bereavement," a statement by his office said.
The Prime Minister tweeted: "Pained to know about the passing away of Mrs. Suvra Mukherjee. My condolences to Rashtrapati ji & his family in this hour of grief."
He said Suvra Mukherjee will be remembered as a lover of art, culture & music. "Her warm nature endeared her to everyone she met," Modi added.
President Pranab Mukherjee's wife Suvra had been ailing for some time and she passed away this morning at the age of 74.
Mukherjee got married to Suvra on July 13, 1957. The First Lady hailed from Jessore, now in Bangladesh, and had migrated to Kolkata at the age of 10 years.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi expressed deep grief over the passing away of the First Lady.
Extending her condolences to the President and members of his family, Sonia said that she, Congress and the entire country stood with them in this moment of bereavement.
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed deep sorrow and grief, saying the First lady was grace and dignity personified and "a silent source" of support for Mukherjee during his long political career.
"I stand in solidarity with Rashtrapati ji and his family in this hour of grief," said Azad, who is also Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Cabinet colleagues to conveyed their condolences.
"Saddened to hear the news of Smt. Suvra Mukherjee's demise. My heartfelt condolences to Shri Pranab Mukherjee and his bereaved family," Singh tweeted.
Expressing grief over the death of President's wife, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she knew her for more than three decades as a simple and loveable person.
"Saddened to hear that Rashtrapati ji's wife Suvra boudi is no more. Cannot believe she has passed. Such is life. We have to accept the truth.
"I have known Suvra boudi for more than three decades. She was simple, lovable and a caring housewife. May God give Rashtrapati ji and his family the strength to bear the loss," she said in a series of tweets.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar too extended his condolences. "Sad to hear about the demise of Shri Pranab Mukherjee ji's wife. My deepest condolences to Pranab da and family. @RashtrapatiBhvn Nitish Kumar."
Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar also condoled the death of the first lady.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar said in a tweet, "Deepest condolences to the family of the President of India Pranab Mukherjee on a sad demise of his wife Suvra Mukherjee."