They conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.

BSS adds: Recalling the contribution of the poet to modern Bengali poetry, President Iajuddin Ahmed said his death is an irreparable loss to Bengali literature.

The poet inspired the nation in the War of Liberation and all democratic movements through his powerful writings, he added.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, in a condolence message, said Shamsur Rahman made immense contribution to the evolution of modern Bengali poetry.

She also recalled his pioneering role in journalism.

The poet through his writings inspired the nation in the movement for freedom and democracy, Khaleda said and recalled his strong role in protecting the trees of Osmani Udyan.

In another message, Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina said, "Shamsur Rahman was one of the pioneering figures in the process of reawakening the Bengali nation in the second half of the 20th century."

His poems spearheaded largely the Bengali nation's struggle to establish their cultural identity, eventually leading to the emergence of independent Bangladesh, she said.

"Free thoughts, non-communal values and universal humanity featured his poetic works, which will remain alive in the country's history for years to come," Hasina added.

Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar, Deputy Speaker Akhter Hamid Siddiqui, LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuyian, Health Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, Information Minister M Shamsul Islam, Food and Disaster Management Minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, Environment Minister Tariqul Islam, Telecommunication Minister M Aminul Haque, Education Minister M Osman Farruq, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka and state ministers Begum Selima Rahman, Ziaul Haque Zia, Ehsanul Haque Milon and Jafrul Islam Chowdhury and deputy minister Abdus Salam Pinto also expressed condolence.

Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain said the death of poet Shamsur Rahman, one of the most prominent personalities of Bangla literature and culture, is a great loss to Bangladesh and her people.

Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury said the nation would remember him for his sharp and encouraging writings during the War of Liberation and all democratic movements.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and General Secretary Bimal Biswas in a statement said poet Shamsur Rahman was an active campaigner for independence and democracy and always fought against communalism and fundamentalism.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul and Secretary General Abdul Jalil Bhuyian and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Altaf Mahmud and General Secretary Omar Faruque expressed deep shock at the death of the poet.

National Press Club President Reazuddin Ahmed and General Secretary Shawkat Mahmud also expressed condolence.

Communist Party of Bangladesh President Manjurul Ahsan Khan and General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim in a statement said the writings of the poet are invaluable resources in Bengali literature.

Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal Convenor Comrade Khalequzzaman said the country has lost a progressive poet who has always been against communalism and fundamentalism.

Jatiya Mukti Council President Badruddin Umar and Secretary Faizul Hakim in a statement said, "Shamsur Rahman and his poems will always inspire the people of the country to fight against imperialism and fundamentalism."

Bangladesh Chhatra Moitree, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Bangladesh Jubo Union, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Bangladesh-Bharat Friendship Society, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Dhaka University Teachers' Association, Chhayanaut, Gonosanghati Andolon, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, World Poem Centre, Sonar Bangla Parishad, Charan Sangskritik Kendra, Kobitapatra, Christian Writers' Forum, Gonotantri Party, Bangladesher Narimukti Sangsad, Bangladesher Khetmajur Union, Chittagong Association, Democratic Lawyers Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob) also expressed condolence.