Veteran Kerala politician MP Veerendra Kumar passes away at 84

MP Veerendra Kumar, a politician from Kerela and the Managing Director of leading Malayalam daily, passed away at a private hospital in Kozhikode following cardiac arrest late on Thursday. He was 84.

Kumar was a Rajya Sabha member from Kerala and also a member of PTI's Board of Directors.

Several leaders mourned the demise of Kumar and expressed their condolences. Vice-President of India M Venkaiah Naidu took to Twitter and said that the country has lost a great leader.

"I am shocked to hear the news of the demise of Shri MP Virendrakumar, Member of Rajya Sabha and former Union Minister. He was a leader with a multi-faceted personality. My tribute!" Naidu tweeted.

"With his death, the country has lost a great leader and a true patriot. My heartfelt condolences to his family members. God bless the saint. om Shanti!" the Vice President said in another tweet.

राज्य सभा के सदस्य तथा पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री श्री एम पी वीरेंद्रकुमार जी के निधन का समाचार पा कर स्तब्ध हूं। वे एक बहुआयामी व्यक्तित्व वाले नेता थे। मेरी श्रद्धांजलि ! pic.twitter.com/5hFYlAH2qK

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) May 29, 2020

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda also mourned the demise of M P Veerendra Kumar, hailing him as a great journalist and writer.

My deepest condolences on the demise of former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha member Shri M.P. Veerendra Kumar. He was a great journalist and writer. May God give strength to his family & his people to bear the loss," Gowda said in his condolence message.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar also took to Twitter and termed his demise as a big loss. "MP Veerendrakumar was an erudite politician, socialist, writer& journalist. As a union labour minister, he stood for the welfare of the workers. As @mathrubhumi CMD, he ensured it becomes the voice of the people. His demise is a big loss to political & journalistic fraternity. Om Shanti," he said.

MP Veerendrakumar was an erudite politician, socialist,writer& journalist. As a union labour minister, he stood for a welfare of the workers. As @mathrubhumi CMD,he ensured it becomes voice of the people.His demise is a big loss to political & journalistic fraternity. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/LmNPWEDNmd

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) May 29, 2020

Kumar is survived by his wife, three daughters and a son.