File Photo: Congress President Sonia Gandhi with son Rahul Gandhi
Congress president Sonia Gandhi today condoled the death of former Union minister Bijoy Krishna Handique.
Saddened at his demise, Mrs Gandhi in a message said that Mr Handique's long journey in public life, both in his home state of Assam as well as at the Centre, was remarkable.
"He was a valued member of the previous UPA governments and the void created by his death will be hard to fill," she added.
Former Union Minister and a six-time Lok Sabha member from Assam, Mr Handique died today at a hospital in Assam.
He was the Minister for Mines and Development of North Eastern Region in the UPA-II government. He also held the portfolios of Union Minister of State for Defence, Parliamentary Affairs, Mines, and Chemicals and Fertilisers during the tenure of the UPA-I government.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has also condoled the death of Mr Handique, saying the former Union minister had served the people of Assam and the country with dedication.