Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday expressed grief over the death of former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.
Taking to microblogging site Twitter, Patnaik described Chatterjee as a stalwart parliamentarian and one of greatest Speakers of Lok Sabha.
Shocked and extremely sad to learn the passing away of Shri #SomnathChatterjee. A stalwart parliamentarian, popular amongst people and one of greatest Speakers of Lok Sabha. A huge loss to the Indian democracy. May his family and near & dear ones get the strength to cope. #RIP
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 13, 2018
Chatterjee died in Kolkata today at a private clinic following a cardiac arrest and prolonged illness, nursing home sources said. He was 89.
Chatterjee was critical following the heart attack he suffered on Sunday. He was also suffering from a kidney-related ailment and was admitted to the clinic in a critical condition August 7.