Shivraj Patil condoles death of Harkishan Singh Surjeet

New Delhi, Aug 1 : Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today expressed deep sorrow at the demise of veteran CPI (M) leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet.

In his statement, Pail said, "I am deeply grieved to learn of the sad demise of Harkishan Singh Surjeet. He will always be remembered by the countrymen as a statesman and a very good human being. May his soul rest in peace. I join the nation in paying tribute to the departed soul."

Surjeet was admitted at the Metro Hospital in Noida where he was treated for respiratory problems. Earlier, he had slipped into coma.

The veteran CPI (M) leader was suffering from cardiac-respiratory problems. He was 92.

With his health declining, Surjeet was, for the first time, not included in the CPI (M) Polit Bureau at the party's 19th congress in early April 2008. He was instead designated as Special Invitee to the Central Committee.

He was the General Secretary of the CPI (M) from 1992 to 2005 and was a member of the party's Polit Bureau from 1964 to 2008.

After retiring from his post as General Secretary, Surjeet continued to play an active role in politics.

ANI