Parliament adjourned for the day after demise of I K Gujral

"It is a great loss to the nation. Rather I would say an irreparable loss to the nation. He was very active in public life with impeccable integrity. He has left behind a great legacy of probity and also statesmanship," Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar also condoled the death of Gujral, terming it as an "irreparable loss to the country".

The Editors Guild of India also condoled the passing away of Gujral.

"Apart from being Information and Broadcasting Minister in his early career of political life, he served the country as an astute and successful diplomat and later as Minister of External Affairs," the Guild said in a statement.

It said Gujral would be remembered for his efforts to seek conflict resolutions in the South Asia region. The Guild also hailed him as a champion of Freedom of press, someone who was always accessible to media.

Describing Gujral as an outstanding statesman, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said as Prime Minister he took a number of significant decisions in the best interest of the country though his tenure was for a brief period.

"He was an Urdu scholar and staunch supporter of democratic values. His contribution will always be remembered," the Delhi Chief Minister said.

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