India politician Murli Deora dies after illness

Senior Indian politician and former federal minister Murli Deora has died after a long illness, aged 77.

Mr Deora, who belonged to the Congress party, died at his home in the city of Mumbai on Monday. He had returned from hospital last week, reports say.

Mr Deora was a four-time MP and joined the federal government as petroleum minister in 2006.

He is survived by his wife and two sons, including former MP and federal minister Milind Deora.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Monday morning that he had spoken to Mr Deora's family only the day before his death, and that he was "very sad to hear the unfortunate news".

"A dedicated leader, Shri Murli Deora's warm nature made him popular across party lines," he said.

Congress party leader Digvijaya Singh tweeted: "One of the most amiable persons I knew. He had friends across Party Line. We shall forever miss him. Our condolences to the family."

A graduate in economics, Mr Deora represented his constituency of Mumbai South four time as MP, and was mayor of the city in the 1970s.