Mumbai, Oct 31 (IANS): Expressing a deep sense of shock and bereavement over the demise of Kerala's Food and Civil Supplies Minister T.M. Jacob, Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan Monday said he lost a long-time friend.

Jacob died Sunday night at a private hospital in Kochi at the age of 61.

Describing Jacob as one of those outstanding parliamentarians who dominated the public life of Kerala for over four decades, Sankaranarayanan said: "At a young age, he became a legislator, worked with the youth wing of the Kerala Congress and won several elections on the strength of his sustained good work."

"I had the privilege of working with him in two ministries," Sankaranarayanan said in a statement.

"Jacob was a very good personal friend of mine. In his demise, Kerala has lost a popular leader and I have lost a close friend," he added.

Jacob, who led the Kerala Congress-Jacob and was its sole legislator, was ailing for some time and was in and out of hospital since he became a minister this May.