The Centre was also accused by the Congress of delaying the announcement of the death of 78-year-old Ahamed at government-run RML hospital in Delhi to facilitate the presentation of Budget as scheduled. Ahamed is a sitting Lok Sabha MP from Mallapuram in Kerala.
Ahamed died at 2:15 AM at Ram Manohar Lohia(RML) hospital where he was admitted yesterday and put on artificial life support.
"E Ahamed passed away at 2:15 AM. His body has been taken to AIIMS hospital for embalming as the facility is not available at RML," a senior RML doctor told PTI. A widower, Ahamed is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slammed the Centre for presenting the Union Budget, hours after the death of Ahmed saying it was "improper, unfortunate and amounted to showing disrespect" to the departed leader.
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"The act amounted to disrespect to the memories of the deceased and insulting the democratic consciousness of the nation. It was a grave mistake that the government had gone ahead with the budget presentation at a time when tributes should have been paid to such a senior leader," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and other top leaders cutting across party lines paid rich tributes to Ahamed.
He said Ahamed devoted significant efforts towards Kerala's progress and his role in deepening India's ties with West Asia was notable.
Ahamed was not only an able Parliamentarian and administrator, but also is considered as India's 'unofficial ambassador' to Gulf countries due to his proximity with leaders in that region.
Ahamed had served the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh from 2004-12 as Minister of State for External Affairs and Railways besides holding the additional charge of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Rejecting demands from the Opposition in the Lok Sabha to postpone the presentation of the Budget following the death of Ahamed, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to carry out the exercise saying it was a "constitutional obligation".
Ahamed had also tried his hand as a journalist-- both as
Sub editor and Reporter of the party newspaper 'Chandrika' and played a vital role in the growth of the newspaper.
"They had information (about E Ahmed's death) and could have decided yesterday (to make it public) but they put that on hold. They thought they will take a decision after the presentation of the Budget.
High drama prevailed at RML hospital when top Congress leaders visited the hospital to enquire about Ahamed's health last night amid allegations that his family was not being allowed to meet him.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, party vice president Rahul Gandhi, leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, besides other party leaders rushed to the hospital late at night and met Ahamed's family.
In a statement later, RML Hospital said Ahamed died because of complete heart block, cardiogenic shock, coronary artery disease, Post PTCA, diabetes with hypertension.
"He was admitted six months back in CCU in RML Hospital with heart failure. Coronary angiography was done which revealed all grafts patents with changes of atherosclerosis at that time medical management was advised and he was under follow up.
"The team treated him by application of various measures like ventilator, pacemaker, intra aortic balloon pumps, vasopressers, auto pulse, CPR, IV fluids, antibiotics and other logistic supports after his admission in hospital.
"All medically possible efforts were made. However, he succumbed on February 1, 2017 at 2.15 AM. The cause of death is complete heart block, cardiogenic shock, CAD, CABD, Post PTCA, diabetes with hypertension," it said.