Former Rajya Sabha MP and senior journalist Chandan Mitra passed away on Wednesday night. He was 65 years old. The news was confirmed by his son Kushan Mitra.

Mitra was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from August 2003 to 2009. In June 2010, BJP got him elected to the upper house from Madhya Pradesh. His term ended in 2016. In July 2018, Mitra, Editor and Managing Director of The Pioneer, resigned from the BJP and joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolence on Mitra’s demise. “Shri Chandan Mitra Ji will be remembered for his intellect and insights. He distinguished himself in the world of media as well as politics. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” the prime minister tweeted.

President Ram Nath Kovind said that the demise of Mitra has left a void in Indian journalism. “Chandan Mitra was an outstanding journalist and his stint as a parliamentarian added to his reputation. His understanding of Hindi heartland and its history was profound. His demise leaves a void in Indian journalism,” he wrote on Twitter.

Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav also expressed his condolences: “Very sorry to hear about the demise of former MP and senior journalist Sh Chandan Mitra. He was a good friend. Served on the India Foundation Board for many years until his health forced him to withdraw from public activism. Condolences to @kushanmitra and other near and dear. Om Shanti.”

Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta also took to Twitter to condole the demise of his school-time friend and shared a photograph from a school trip. “I lost my closest friend—editor of Pioneer & former MP Chandan Mitra—this morning. We were together as students of La Martiniere & went on to St Stephen’s & Oxford. We joined journalism at the same time & shared the excitement of Ayodhya & the saffron wave,” he wrote on Twitter.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh praised Mitra’s “deep knowledge, sharp writings and contributions towards journalism and politics”. Deeply anguished by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of sadness,” he tweeted.