Shopian (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 4 : National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Monday extended condolences on the death of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren and expressed hope that his son Heman Soren will follow the footsteps of his father while carrying out the development agenda for the state.
"Today, our very good friend Shibu Soren, who was the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, has passed away. In this hour of grief, we all stand with Hemant Soren. We hope that he will carry forward the steps taken by his father to advance that state and eradicate the poverty and suffering of its people," Abdullah told the reporters here.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, popularly known as "Dishom Guru" passed away on Monday at the age of 81 after a prolonged battle with kidney-related ailments and a recent stroke.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid his last respects to former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder patron Shibu Soren, who passed away in the national capital this morning.
PM Modi visited the Sir Ganga Hospital, where the former Jharkhand leader was hospitalised.
PM Modi described Shibu Soren as "a grassroots leader who rose through the ranks of public life with unwavering dedication to the people."
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand government declared a three-day state mourning starting Monday.
In honour of the late Honourable former Chief Minister-cum-Rajya Sabha MP, the State Government has decided to observe 03 (three) days of state mourning from August 4 to August 6," the message from the Jharkhand government read.
During the mourning, the national flag will remain at half-mast on all the buildings, no state function will be organised, and all the offices of the state government will remain closed.