PM condoles death of Sikkim's first CM

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday condoled the death of Sikkim's first Chief Minister Kazi Lhendup Dorjee Khang Serpa saying he had played a "historic role" as the architect of the accession of the north-eastern state to the Indian Union.

In a condolence message, the Prime Minister said  the country in general and the state of Sikkim in particular has lost a veteran public figure whose many sided contributions to nation building endeared him to people.

"I am deeply shocked and grieved to learn of the sad demise of Dorjee Serpa," he said while recalling his role in spearheading the state as its first Chief Minister from 1974 to 1979. Dorjee died at his residence yesterday following a heart attack. He was 103.