Rich tributes are pouring in for the former Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, who died at a hospital in Kolkata this morning. The 89 year old veteran Communist leader passed away following a multiple organ failure.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, BJP President Amit Shah, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and many other leaders have expressed condolence over the demise of Somnath Chatterjee.

In a tweet, President Kovind said, the former Lok Sabha speaker was a veteran parliamentarian who had a forceful presence in the House.

Vice President Naidu said, Somnath Chatterjee was always affable, highlighted people's problems and firmly stood by the principles he believed in.

Prime Minister Modi termed Chatterjee as a stalwart of Indian politics, saying that the former Lok Sabha Speaker made Parliamentary democracy richer. He said Chatterjee was a strong voice for the well-being of the poor and vulnerable.

Describing him as a big brother, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said, Chatterjee's tenure as Speaker was a guidance for her.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj have also expressed sadness over the demise of the veteran.

(Featured Image – PTI)