One of Kerala's prominent socialist leaders, Rajya Sabha MP and Managing Director of Mathrubhumi, MP Veerendra Kumar, passed away at the age of 83 in Kozhikode on Thursday.
According to media reports, he was admitted to a private hospital in Kozhikode at 8.30 pm on Thursday. He passed away shortly thereafter, reportedly due to a cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife, son and three daughters.
A well-known politician and literary figure in Kerala, Veerendra Kumar has made his impact in national and state politics and the world of media and literature. A man who won from Kozhikode twice as Lok Sabha member, Veerendra Kumar has also served as a minister at both the centre and state.
He also received the Sahitya Akademi award for his travelogue, Haimavatha Bhhovil, in 2010. He has won over 100 awards for his literary works, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.