Former Union Minister E Ahamed has passed away in the wee hours of today after suffering from heart attack. He breathed his last at the RML Hospital in the national capital, hospital sources said. He took ill in the Central Hall of Parliament during the President's address yesterday. Now, the mortal remains has been kept at his official residence 9 Trimurti Marg in Delhi for public homage till noon and in the afternoon it will be flown to his home town Kannur in Kerala.<br/><br/>Ahamed represented the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency. He served as the Minister of State for External Affairs, Minister of State for Railways and Minister of State for Human Resource Development in the Manmohan Singh government. Seventy-eight year-old leader was also the President of Indian Union Muslim League.<br/><br/>During his tenure in Parliament, he has been a member of several Parliamentary committees including External Affairs, Railways, Civil Aviation and Tourism, Public Undertakings, Science and Technology, Environment and Forests. Mr. Ahamed was also the Chairman of the Government Assurance Committee.<br/><br/>Mr. Ahamed, a widely travelled person represented India at the United Nations six times. He has also authored 3 books in English and Malayalam.He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly five times and served as Cabinet Minister for Industries.<br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of E Ahamed. In a series of tweets, Mr Modi said he is saddened by the passing away of E Ahamed, a veteran political leader who served the nation with great diligence. He said Ahamed devoted significant efforts towards Kerala's progress and his role in deepening India's ties with West Asia is notable one. The Prime Minister said the continuous efforts of Ahmad for the empowerment of Muslim community will be remembered.<br/><br/>Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also condoled the demise of E Ahamed.<br/><br/>President Pranab Mukherjee has expressed heartfelt condolences over sad demise of E Ahamed. In a tweet, the President described him as a friend and colleague of long years. Mr Mukherjee said Mr Ahamed was a tireless campaigner for the welfare of underprivileged and his services to the nation will be long remembered. <br/><br/>Congress President Sonia Gandhi condoled the demise of E Ahamed. Mrs Gandhi said, he was a committed democrat and beloved leader of Kerala, whose simple lifestyle and commitment to the cause of people was an example to an entire generation.