MP Veerendra Kumar has been twice Union Minister and former MP for Kerala (file photo)
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed his anguish over the death of Rajya Sabha member and managing director of the main Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi MP Veerendra Kumar, saying he believed that the poor and disadvantaged should be given a voice.
Veerendra Kumar, former union minister, died on Thursday of a cardiac arrest.
“Anxious about the death of Rajya Sabha MP Shri, Veerendra Kumar Ji MP. He has distinguished himself as an effective legislator and parliamentarian,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on Twitter.
“Veerendra Kumar believed in giving voice to the poor and disadvantaged. Condolences to his family and his supporters. Om Shanti,” added the Prime Minister.
Anguish over the death of Rajya Sabha MP Shri M.P. Veerendra Kumar Ji. He distinguished himself as an effective legislator and parliamentarian. He believed in giving voice to the poor and disadvantaged. Condolences to his family and his supporters. Om Shanti.
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 29, 2020
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also condemned the death of Veerendra Kumar, saying: “I am sorry to hear of the death of the author and general manager of the Mathrubhumi group, MP Veerendra Kumar Ji. My condolences to his family , colleagues and friends in this time of pain. “
I am sorry to hear of the death of the author and managing director of the Mathrubhumi group, Mr P. Veerendra Kumar Ji. My condolences to his family, colleagues and friends during this time of grief.
– Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 29, 2020
Kerala’s chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, called the death of Ceerendra Kumar “a great loss for democratic and secular movements”.
Veerendra Kumar has made “valuable” contributions to the media industry with his uncompromising stance on press freedom, said the Prime Minister, paying tribute to him.
“Until his last breath, he tirelessly fought communalism and the politics of division. Even though he defended development. Veerendra Kumar was also a front-line environmentalist. I share this moment of deep pain with his loved ones and his colleagues, “wrote Vijayan in a Facebook post.
Noting that he had known Veerendra Kumar personally for decades, Mr. Vijayan recalled how the two fought together during the emergency and maintained that relationship even after deviating from their political beliefs during a brief moment.
“His contributions to our social and cultural spheres have been invaluable,” added Mr. Vijayan.
“He had made insightful contributions at a recent joint meeting of MPs and MPs on tackling the COVID-19 situation in the state,” said the chief minister.
“With his uncompromising position for press freedom, he has also made a valuable contribution to the media industry. A talented writer and speaker, he has thoroughly analyzed all the problems that have arisen,” said Mr. Vijayan .
Veerendra Kumar, twice minister of union and former deputy of Kerala, received the award from the Kendra Sahitya Academy for his travel story “Haimavathabhoovil”.
A well-known author and speaker, Veerendra Kumar, 84, died Thursday evening in a private hospital in Kozhikode.
The funeral is scheduled to take place tonight at Kalpetta in Wayanad.
(PTI entries)
