Chennai, Sep 3 - Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Thursday expressed deep shock at the sudden demise of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash Wednesday and called up Congress chief Sonia Gandhi offering his condolences.

As a mark of respect to the departed Andhra Pradesh chief minister, the Tamil Nadu government has declared a state holiday Friday.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the present Leader of the Opposition J. Jayalalithaa also expressed shock at the tragic demise of Reddy in an air accident near Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh Wednesday.

Karunanidhi, in his condolence message, has said his hopes of hearing comforting news about Reddy soon after his helicopter went missing has been dashed by the news of his death.