Former PM Deve Gowda will miss good friend, philosopher and guide, Yerran Naidu

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda today condoled the death of senior TDP leader and former Union Minister K Yerran Naidu.

In his condolence message, Gowda said Naidu was "a good friend, philosopher and guide" not only for him but also for all those leaders who toiled hard to build a party other than national parties.

"When I was the Prime Minister, he (Naidu) was in my cabinet and since those days I knew his calibre, organising capacity and commitment to principled politics," he said.

As a veteran parliamentarian, Naidu was a force with voice for the downtrodden in general and farmers in particular, Gowda said.

55-year-old Naidu died in a road accident in his native Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh early today.

"May his soul rest in peace and I pray God to give strength to his family members to bear this great shock and loss," he said.