President condoles death of Kazi Lhendup Dorjee

New Delhi, Jul 30 (UNI) President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today condoled the death of Sikkim's first Chief Minister Kazi Lhendup Dorjee, describing him a ''distinguished statesman''.

In a condolence message, the President said Mr Kazi Lhendup Dorjee was a distinguished statesman whose work as the first Chief Minister of Sikkim would always be remembered.

''In his passing away, the country has lost a personality who worked for the upliftment of the people of Sikkim, especially the weak and the downtrodden. He had contributed to the development of Sikkim in a big way,'' the President said.

Mr Lhendup Dorjee, who was 103, passed away in Kalimpong on Saturday. He had been suffering from liver problems for a few years. He was Sikkim Chief Minister from 1974 to 1979 and was instrumental in Sikkim's merger with the Indian Union in 1975.

UNI