New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday condoled the passing away of Bollywood actor Dharmendra, saying the Indian film industry has lost a precious star who ruled over the hearts of cinema lovers for decades.

Dharmendra, the star who wrote himself into showbiz legend in a 65-year career spanning 300 films ranging from "Satyakam' to "Sholay", died in Mumbai on Monday, police said. He was 89.

"The Indian film world has lost a precious star today. The renowned actor Dharmendra is no longer with us. Honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2012, Dharmendra reigned over the hearts of cinema lovers for decades and left a deep impression with his unparalleled acting and simple life," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X.

He said his passing away marks the end of an era.

"In this hour of grief, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and millions of fans. May God grant peace to his soul," the Congress president said.

The actor, who would have turned 90 on December 8, was not keeping well for a while and was in and out of a Mumbai hospital with the family finally deciding to continue his treatment at home earlier this month.

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Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi (PTI): Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal on Thursday accepted the party decision to select V D Satheesan as the chief minister of Kerala and congratulated him.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Venugopal, who was one of the three persons being considered for the post, said he will provide all support to the CM and the UDF government in Kerala.

The decision comes more than 10 days after the results of the April Assembly polls in Kerala were declared.

The Congress-led UDF secured a more than two-thirds majority in the Kerala Assembly elections, but the party has been unable to decide its chief ministerial face due to lobbying by different camps and protests by workers at the ground level.

Besides, Satheesan and Venugopal, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala was also in the race for the CM post.