New Delhi, Jan 18 (IANS): Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday condoled the demise of Ashwini Chopra, a former BJP MP and senior journalist and resident editor of Hindi daily Punjab Kesari.

In a statement, she said Chopra's long and distinguished innings as an editor, as a social worker and as a MP will be long remembered.

"His friendship cut across political boundaries and he was known for his forthright views on most issues undeterred by the opposition he faced," she said.

She also extended her heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Chopra.

He passed away in Gurugram on Saturday, his family confirmed.

Speaking to IANS, his son Akash Chopra said the former Lok Sabha MP from Karnal was suffering from cancer.

"About 1.5 years ago he was diagnosed with cancer. The treatment was going on. The medicines had stopped working. He passed away on Saturday at 11.40 a.m. at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon," he told IANS.

Ashwini Chopra, born in 1956, was a senior journalist. He was elected to the 16th Lok Sabha from Karnal in Haryana as a BJP candidate. Prior to entering journalism full-time, he played under the name of Ashwini Minna for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy.

He is survived by his wife, Kiran Chopra, and three sons -- Arjun, Akash and Aditya Chopra.

The cremation will take place at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi at 10 a.m. on Sunday, according to the family.

During the days of terrorism in Punjab, his grandfather Lala Jagat Narain and father Romesh Chander were assassinated in 1981 and 1984 respectively.