``He was a dedicated leader who fought unremittingly for the cause of the working people and the rural poor, particularly in Bihar,'' CPI (M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet said in a message.

The CPI said in a statement that in Mishra's death, the Left movement in the country had suffered a great loss.

``We recall with reverence the unique role played by Comrade Vinod Mishra in the transformation from underground activities to mainstream national politics of the working class,'' Forward Bloc (AIFB) general secretary Debabrata Biswas said.

In separate messages, the parties conveyed their condolences over his demise yesterday in Lucknow to all members of the CPI-ML and the bereaved family.Meanwhile, the convoy carrying Mishra's body set out for Patna today.

Mishra's body is being carried in a bus andabout a 100 people, including his wife Kumudnipati and all the 37 members of the party's central committee, are accompanying it. The last rites will be performed at 1 pm on December 22.

CPI (M-L) state secretary Akhilendra Praratp Singh said a new general secretary will be elected at an emergency meeting of the party's central committee in Patna. The meeting will be held on December 23.