Prime Minister condoles Ghani Khan's demise

New Delhi, Apr 14 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today condoled the death of veteran Congress leader and former Railway minister A B A Ghani Khan Chowdhury in Kolkata, and extolled his contributions to the nation.

''I am saddened to learn of the passing away of Shri Abul Barkat Ataul Ghani Khan Choudhury. Shri Ghani Khan Choudhury was a great son of Bengal, a lifelong soldier of the Indian National Congress, an astute legislator and parliamentarian, an important member of the Union Council of Ministers under the leadership of Indiraji and Rajivji, and above all a patriotic Indian,'' Dr Singh said in his condolence message here.

Ghani Khan Chowdhury contributed greatly to the modernisation of the railways and the development of the nation's energy resources, he added.

''He has left his indelible imprint on the political and social life of Bengal and I join the people of Bengal and the members of our party in paying tribute to his memory and in offering my sincere condolences to his family, his followers and his friends,'' Dr Singh noted.

UNI MA AT BST2003