'Ahamed was a tireless campaigner for underprivileged'

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday condoled the death of IUML MP E. Ahamed and said he was a tireless "campaigner" for welfare of the "underprivileged".

"Heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of IUML President, former Minister and MP, E. Ahamed," Mukherjee tweeted addressing him as a long-time "friend and colleague".

The President said Ahamed's "services to the nation will be long remembered".

#EAhamed was a tireless campaigner for welfare of underprivileged, his services to the nation will be long remembered #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) February 1, 2017

E. Ahamed, who on Tuesday collapsed in Parliament's Central Hall, suffered a cardiac arrest and died after undergoing treatment at the city-based Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

The 78-year-old leader served as Minister of State for External Affairs in the UPA government and has been a Lok Sabha member from Malappuram since 1991.