<span style="color: #222222;">Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed grief on the passing away of sitting Rajya Sabha Member and former Union Minister MP Veerendra Kumar.<br />'' <br />'' In a tweet, Mr Naidu said, the veteran leader was a multifaceted personality. He was also an accomplished journalist and a prolific writer and made invaluable contribution to media and journalism.<br />'' <br />'' The Vice President said, MP Veerendra Kumar was always deeply committed to the cause of the deprived and marginalized and in his passing the nation has lost a great leader and a true patriot.<br />'' <br />'' MP Veerendra Kumar was elected twice to the Lok Sabha and served as Minister of State for Finance and Labour. He was also elected to the Kerala Assembly and also served as Minister. He was also honoured with the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi Award.<br />'' <br />'' </span><br />