'Nation has lost a veteran leader in Thackeray's death'

President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday condoled the death of Bal Thackeray saying the nation has lost a veteran leader who worked to help the common man.

In his condolence letter to Thackeray's son Uddhav, the President said he was "extremely sad to learn about the passing away" of Balasaheb Thackeray.

"Shri Thackeray's passing away is a loss for the people of Maharashtra and India. In his death, the nation has lost a veteran leader who worked to help the common man and whose contributions in the field of media added a different perspective to the political discourse," the President said in his letter.

Mukherjee, while offering his condolences to the family and numerous followers of Thackeray, said he prayed "to give you and your family the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss."