New Delhi: On behalf of The Indian Newspaper Society (INS), Shailesh Gupta, President, has condoled the death of Kerala politician M.P. Veerendra Kumar, who passed away due to cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Kozhikode late on Thursday. He was 84.

A Rajya Sabha member and Managing Director of leading Malayalam daily ‘Mathrubhumi’ Group of Newspapers, Veerendra Kumar donned many hats as a former Union Minister, former PTI Chairman, Past President of the Indian Newspaper Society, a journalist and prolific author on various subjects.

He was the recipient of Kendra Sahitya Academy Award, Kerala Sahitya Academy Award and many other such awards. As a Socialist leader he was the voice of the marginalised and weaker sections of the society and was a People’s Person.

Shailesh Gupta conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family members and prayed that the Almighty grant them strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss, according to a press release from Mary Paul, Secretary General, INS.