Former Union minister and Indian Union Muslim League leader E Ahamed passed away early on Wednesday morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest during the President’s speech to Parliament on Tuesday. 

Ahamed died at 2:15 am at RML hospital, where he was admitted on Tuesday and put on artificial life support. 

b’Former Union Minister E Ahamed | Source: Facebook’

“E Ahamed has passed away at 2:15 am. His body has been taken to AIIMS hospital for embalming (a method to preserve a corpse from decaying) as the facility is not available at RML,” a senior RML doctor told PTI.  Ahamed’s body will be taken to Kerala on Wednesday. 

The 78-year-old MP from Kerala’s Mallapuram suffered a cardiac arrest during the President’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament yesterday. 

b’File image of E Ahamed (left) with President Pranab Mukherjee | Source: PIB’

Ahamed, who is the president of Indian Muslim League, complained of uneasiness and breathlessness, sources said. The Parliament staff tried to give him first aid but as his pain did not reduce, he was rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital’s nursing home where doctors tried to revive him.

“The MP had no pulse or heartbeat when he arrived at the hospital,” a senior doctor said. 

Ahamed, who represents the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency from Kerala, had served as Minister of State for External Affairs in the previous UPA government.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, party vice president Rahul Gandhi, leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, besides other party leaders rushed to the hospital late at night and met Ahamed’s family. 

There was also a minor controversy with the Congress alleging the former minister’s relatives hadn’t been allowed to meet him. 

Congress leaders also demanded that Parliament be adjourned to condole his passing. However, there’s no sign that the government will delay the presentation of the Union Budget.