New Delhi, Nov 25 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi today condoled the death of veteran journalist Dileep Padgaonkar. In a condolence message over Padgaonkar’s demise, Ms Gandhi, remembering him as an intellectual, historian and thinker, said the void created by his passing away will be hard to fill. For he espoused a brand of mature, balanced and unwavering journalism that's gradually hard to find. Ms Gandhi prayed for peace for the departed soul and expressed her solidarity with family and friends of Padgaonkar in this hour of grief. Condoling Padgaonkar' death , Mr Gandhi said,’’One of the finest journalists of our times, Mr Dileep Padgaonkar set a high bar. He wrote with courage and great empathy. His voice will be missed.’’ Senior leader P Chidambaram and AICC media in-charge Randeep Surjewala also condoled the death of Padgaonkar. "Shocked and deeply grieved to learn Dileep Padgaonkar passed away. Fiercely independent, Padgaonkar brought a liberal world view to Indian journalism,’’ Mr Chidambaram said. In his condolence message, Mr Surjewala said, "Our tributes to Mr Dileep Padgaonkar-noted journalist,dyed-in-wool liberal and passionate fighter against communalism.U will be always missed.’’ UNI AR RSA SNU 1914