In a message from Dubai, another former Indian skipper Ravi Sahstri expressed sadness that he would never again see Chakraborty in his trademark Panama hat and the 'lovely smile'.

Bollywood hero Mithun Chakraborty said Subhas Chakraborty was like an elder brother to him. 'I loved him a lot. He helped everybody, irrespective of party affiliations. Every day 100-150 people would come to his residence for help. And nobody returned disappointed.'

'He was a great lover of sports. He was always there when somebody was in crisis,' said the actor in an emotion-choked voice.

Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi said Chakraborty would always be remembered as a great mass leader.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee also recalled Chakraborty's contribution in the ministry as well as in the party organisation.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said: 'We were political opponents. But I had the opportunity to work with him as a central minister. People will remember him as a political personality.'

A gloom descended in Kolkata's sports hub, the Maidan, with several clubs flying their flags at half mast.

The state government has declared a day's mourning. State government offices were closed for the day at 1 p.m. as a mark of respect.

The cremation will be held Tuesday.