Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other top leaders cutting across party lines today paid homage to former Union minister and Indian Union Muslim League MP E Ahamed, who passed away early this morning.
I&B Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, CPI leader D Raja, TMC leader Saugata Roy were also among those who visited the residence of the departed leader here.
The Vice-President recalled his long association with Ahamed. "He was an eminent personality. He is somebody I have known for a quarter of a century and his passing away is a great loss," said Ansari.
Many leaders from Kerala like A K Antony, Vyalar Ravi and Ramesh Chennithala also paid their respects.
"He was a symbol of secularism and Keralites can't forget his contribution as the Minister of State for Railways and Minister of State for External Affairs and how he used to raise important issues related to minorities and backward classes," said Antony.
Ahamed was an MP from Kerala's Mallapuram and his body has been taken for last rites in Kannur later today.
The 78-year-old passed away in the wee hours at RML Hospital here. He suffered a cardiac arrest during the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament yesterday.
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Meanwhile, in an obvious reference to demand of delaying the budget announcement following the death of Ahamed, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the "controversial budget" became even more controversial
"Controversial budget became even more controversial," Banerjee said in a statement.
"Very sad to see the way E Ahamed Ji and family were handled. Condolences to the family of E Ahamed ji. He was first elected as an MLA 50 years ago and served the nation and the people of Kerala," she added.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the government for going ahead with the presentation of the Union Budget after the death of Ahamed and further levelled accusations of delaying announcement of the news so that the government could present the Budget without any hiccup.
