Panaji, Sep 4 (IANS): Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar condoled the death of former CM Wilfred de Souza, 87, who died on Friday following cardiac arrest.

Parrikar, a former chief minister of Goa, said de Souza at the peak of his political career "played a crucial role in attaining statehood for Goa".

"His contribution in making Konkani the official language of Goa is well known. Dr. Wilfred de Souza was an outstanding political figure, who served the society with distinction," he said.

Wilfred de Souza, a qualified surgeon, was admitted to a private hospital after he complained of breathlessness. He died following cardiac arrest at 9.15 a.m.

One of the state's most powerful minorities' leaders, he served as chief minister on three occasions but could never complete a full term in office in the defection-ridden political era which the state witnessed in the 1990s.

In a condolence message, Parsekar described the three-time chief minister as a "prominent politician" and said that his death was a "great loss to society".

The Uganda-born de Souza was also a member of several political parties throughout his long career as politician, that included United Goans Party, Congress, Goa Rajiv Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and the Trinamool Congress.

Goa has announced a three-day state mourning following de Souza's death.