Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday wrote to Gaurav Gogoi and family expressing grief on the demise of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

In the letter, Ms Gandhi mentions how Tarun Gogoi was "admired and respected" in the Congress party and described him as one the "tallest leaders". She sent her condolences and said the Congress party will always honour his memory.

Ms Gandhi also said former Prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi held Tarun Gogoi in high regard.

Read the full letter below –

"It is with great grief that I learnt of the passing away of your beloved father.

Shri Tarun Gogoi was one of the tallest leaders of the Congress party, admired and respected for his extraordinary wisdom, vision and ability. With his long years of experience as an MLA, an MP, a Central Minister and Chief Minister of Assam, he was someone to whose unfailingly wise counsel and advice we could always turn to. I know in what great regard Smt Indira Gandhi and Shri Rajiv Gandhi held him. For me, his loss is also a deeply personal one — I cannot forget the warmth and care he showed me on my many visits to Assam. During those visits, I saw how loved he was by all the many communities and people of Assam, how much he had done for them, and for their progress and welfare. No wonder he was Assam, most universally loved and venerated public figure and the longest-serving Chief Minister of the State.

At this time of grief my thoughts are with you and your family. Your father's life was cut short by this cruel pandemic, but he leaves a precious and lasting legacy in the standards he set and in his immense contribution to national life. He is now relieved from his suffering, and at peace. The Congress party will always honour his memory."