Union Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde died in capital New Delhi this morning. He was 64. He suffered a cardiac arrest following a road accident while on his way to the airport.

His car was hit by another vehicle at Prithviraj road-Tughlak road roundabout in the capital. Immediately after the accident Munde was brought to All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Spokesperson of AIIMs told reporters later that despite resucitative measures, Munde could not be revived and was declared dead at 7:20 AM today.

After postmortem Munde's body will be kept at the BJP headquarters in the city at 12.30 PM where leaders and party workers will pay their respects to the departed soul. His body will be flown to his native village in Marathwada region this evening and his cremation will take place there tomorrow.

President, Vice President and Prime Minister have expressed grief over the sudden demise of Munde.

In his message, President Pranab Mukherjee said, Munde's passing away is a huge loss for the people of Maharashtra and country at large. In his death, people have lost a veteran leader who always worked for the common man.

Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari said,that Munde was amongst the most prominent political leaders of Maharashtra who had a long and illustrious public life during.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Munde as a true mass leader, who rose to great heights and tirelessly served people.

Expressing grief over the death of Munde, Congress President Sonia Gandhi conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

National flag will be flown at half mast in Delhi and capitals of the states and Union Territories today as a mark of respect to the departed leader. A statement issued by Home Ministry said that the national flag will also be flown at half mast tomorrow at the place of cremation.

AIR correspondent reports, Union Cabinet is meeting this evening to condole death of Gopinath Munde.