Mumbai, Nov 24 (PTI): Murli Deora, a veteran Congress leader and a former petroleum minister, passed away here early on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 77.

Deora breathed his last at around 3.25am, according to family sources. He is survived by his wife and two sons, including former MP Milind Deora.

The former Union Minister, who held the portfolios of Petroleum and Corporate Affairs in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance regime, was serving his third term as a Rajya Sabha member.

Deora was India's longest serving Petroleum Minister and held important posts in the party and government during his career of over four decades.

He was elected to the Lok Sabha four times from Mumbai South and had also served as the president of Mumbai Congress for 22 years.

A Gandhi family loyalist and a close confidant of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Deora was a key party fund raiser who was on personal terms with most of India's well-known industralists.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leaders and others condoled Deora's demise and said he was popular across party lines.

“Just yesterday I had spoken to Shri Murli Deora's family & asked about his health. Very sad to hear the unfortunate news today,” Modi said in a series of tweets.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the country has lost a veteran Parliamentarian.

“I am deeply saddened by the demise of Murli Deora. We have lost a veteran Parliamentarian and an experienced administrator,” the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.

Deora's mortal remains would be kept at the Mumbai Congress office, where party workers would pay their last respects from noon to 2pm. His last rites would be performed at Chandanwadi Crematorium later in the day.