Former MP and a four-time MLA of Assam Assembly Ismail Hussain died today at a private hospital in Guwahati after suffering from cancer for a long time, family sources said.
He was 65 and is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
Expressing his condolence, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said Hussain had always worked for the poor and backward classes.
"He worked for the society and state with utmost dedication. He always upheld democratic values. His demise is a big loss for us," he added.
Born in 1950 at Howly town in Barpeta district, Hussain was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 on Congress ticket from Barpeta constituency.
Starting his career as a teacher at Dhakaliyapara High School, he was active in minority related issues.
In 1983, Hussain contested the Assembly elections as an independent and became an MLA from Barpeta.
Winning elections in 1991, he became Agriculture Minister in the Hiteswar Saikia government.
Hussain won Assembly polls again in 1996 and 2001, when he got the Cabinet portfolio for the Irrigation and Char Development departments.
His body was brought from Guwahati and the last rites were carried out at Howly.
The Barpeta District Congress Committee has declared three days of mourning by keeping their flag half mast.
