Sonia condoles Ahamed's death

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday condoled the death of senior Kerala MP E. Ahamed, calling him a "fine human being" and a "committed democrat".

"In his death India has lost an outstanding parliamentarian. He was a committed democrat and beloved leader of Kerala, whose simple lifestyle and commitment to cause ... was an example for an entire generation," Gandhi said.

She conveyed her solidarity with the family and supporters of Ahamed "in this hour of grief".

In a condolence letter to Ahmed's son Ahamed Rayees, Gandhi said she was deeply grieved over the passing away of his "beloved father".

"E. Ahamed was widely respected and admired for the complete sincerity and dedication with which he undertook every task, his warm human qualities, his diplomatic skills which made him strike a warm rapport with leaders of several countries and his outstanding qualities as a parliamentarian.

"At this time of grief, you much take consolation from the fact that he was active and engaged in public service until the very end and that he did not suffer a long and painful illness," she wrote.

Gandhi also said she personally mourned the "loss of a warm and loyal friend, a man with a simple, modest way of life who cared deeply for the under-privileged and vulnerable and always put their interests first, and a leader of broad vision, humanity and integrity.

"Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gnadhi also held him in high esteem. His many admirers and supporters, not just in Kerala but in the whole country and in the Muslim world, will always honour his memory and be grateful for his rich contribution to our national life," she wrote.

Ahamed died here early on Wednesday, a day after suffering cardiac arrest in Parliament during the President's address to a joint session.

--IANS

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