Leaders across the political spectrum condoled the demise of former chief election commissioner T. N. Seshan, who passed away in Chennai on Sunday night.

Top Congress leaders, including party chief Sonia Gandhi, on Monday paid tribute to Seshan, with Rahul Gandhi saying there was a time when election commissioners were impartial and brave.

'Unlike today, there was a time when our Election Commissioners were impartial, respected, brave and feared. Shri T N Seshan was one of them. My condolences to his family on his passing,' Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote.

In her condolence message, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said Seshan was a seasoned civil servant who went on to serve as the cabinet secretary.

'Shri Seshan will always be remembered for strengthening the Election Commission of India and pioneering many a far reaching electoral reform,' she said.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said democracy of the country will always be proud of Seshan.

'I wish, the tradition set by you could have been followed in these times as well through some more brave people,' he said.

'You will always be a source of inspiration to the lovers of democracy,' Surjewala tweeted in Hindi.

Several other senior Congress leaders, including Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot, Jairam Ramesh, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Milind Deora, among others, condoled Seshan's demise.

In Chandigarh, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said the nation will remember him as an embodiment of fearlessness and conviction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that Seshan's 'efforts towards electoral reforms have made our democracy stronger and more participative.'

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury tweeted that Seshan's absence will be felt gravely. Union defence minister Rajnath Singh expressed his grief over Seshan's passing.

President Ram Nath Kovind too took to Twitter to pay tribute to his demise, saying 'Seshan’s stint as chief election commissioner marked an epochal phase of electoral reforms.'

In a statement, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said Seshan was the epitome of honesty, fearlessness and dedication, and rendered yeoman service as a civil servant.

'He showed how a strong democracy could be built using the power of the Election Commission. Seshan's name will be etched in golden letters in the country's history,' the chief minister said.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik too condoled the death of the former chief election commissioner.

'Deeply saddened by the passing away of former Chief Election Commissioner & Ramon Magasysay awardee #TNSeshan. At the helm of @ECISVEEP, he stressed major electoral reforms and was well respected across party lines for his integrity & dedication towards democratic processes,' Patnaik tweeted.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar also condoled the demise of Seshan, saying he played an important role in strengthening the country's electoral system.

Seshan, who ruthlessly enforced the Model Code of Conduct and led the game-changing electoral reforms in the 1990s, died in Chennai on Sunday night following a cardiac arrest. He was 86.