Extremely shocked by Munde's demise: PM Modi

Expressing his sadness and shock, Modi described Munde as a true mass leader, who rose to great heights and tirelessly served people.

"Extremely saddened & shocked by The demise of my friend & colleague Gopinath Munde ji. His demise is a major loss for the Nation & the Govt," tweeted Modi.

"Gopinath Munde ji was a true mass leader. Hailing from backward sections of society, he rose to great heights & tirelessly served people," he said.

"My tributes to a dynamic leader whose premature demise leaves a void hard to fill," Modi said.

"Condolences to Munde ji`s family. We stand by them in this hour of grief," he posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Vice President Hamid Ansari also condoled Munde's death.

In his condolence message, Ansari said: “I am profoundly saddened at the passing away of Shri Gopi Nath Munde, the Union Minister for Rural Development in a tragic road accident today."

"Shri Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during which he served his state and the country in various capacities with great distinction. In his departure, we have lost a distinguished public servant whose absence will be felt by one and all," he said.

"I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. I pray to the Almighty to give them strength and fortitude to bear this loss," he added.

Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi expressed grief over Munde's demise.

She said that in Munde's demise, the country has lost an able and dedicated leader.

 Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh expressed shock and grief over Munde's death.

In his condolence message, Singh said in the sudden demise of Munde, the nation has lost a promising leader with vision for taking the country to great heights.

Munde died in a road accident in New Delhi on Tuesday morning, said reports.

The mishap took place around 6.30 am when he was on his way to the Indira Gandhi International Airport from where he was scheduled to catch a flight to Mumbai.  

According to reports, an Indica car hit Munde's Ambassador car when it was moving from Lodhi Road towards the Aurobindo Chowk.

He was rushed to the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he was declared dead.

 "There was no breathing, no pulse, no cardiac function when Mr Munde was brought to the hospital. Despite efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 7.20 am," AIIMS spokesperson Dr Amit Gupta was quoted as saying by CNN-IBN.

As per reports, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader sustained multiple head, chest and spinal injuries. 

He was said to have lost considerable amount of blood in the mishap. 

Munde, a diabetic patient, fell down from the car and asked to be taken to a hospital when his security guard helped him. 

Munde was suspected to have suffered a cardiac arrest while he was being taken to the AIIMS Trauma Cente.

Munde's driver and security guard are reportedly safe.

The police arrested the driver of the Indica car.

Munde, who was the Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water and Sanitation, will be cremated on Wednesday.