English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Former union minister Sultan Ahmed, Mamata’s strong hand in LS, dies of heart attack

Published

9 years ago

on

Sultan Ahmed

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ahmed was union minister of state for tourism in the UPA-II government when the Congress party and Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress were in alliance, he was also a prominent Muslim face of the TMC

~By Sujit Bhar

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee suffered a jolt at the Lok Sabha on Monday (September 4) when her trusted aide and MP Sultan Ahmed suddenly passed away from a cardiac arrest at his home in Kolkata. He was rushed to the hospital, but by then it was too late. He was declared brought dead. He was 64.

Ahmed was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from the Uluberia constituency of West Bengal. He had also been the Union Minister of State for Tourism in the Manmohan Singh government when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was a partner.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: “Shocked and deeply saddened at the passing of Sultan Ahmed sitting @AITCOfficial LS MP & my long term colleague. Condolences to his family.”

Also expressing shock over the death was TMC MP Derek O’Brien, who said: “Wished him Eid Mubarak on Saturday. Gone today. Stunned at the passing of my colleague Sultan Ahmed MP in Kolkata. Prayers for his family.”

Speaking to the media Pradeep Tandon, CEO of Belle Vue Clinic where Ahmed was rushed to, said: “Sultan Ahmed has expired. He had a massive cardiac arrest at his home at about 11.15-11.30 am. By the time he was brought here it was 12.15 pm. We started the treatment, but we had to declare him brought dead.”

Ahmed was a political organizer par excellence. He had a huge following not only among the minorities in and around Kolkata, but also among football lovers of the state, having been the secretary of the famous Mohammedan Sporting Club of Kolkata for a long time.

While he was reviving the fortunes of the old club, he also gathered around him supporters who would be the platform for his political successes. He was also president of the association of rickshaw wallahs of the city as well as of hand cart pullers, another massive base of following and vote bank.

His rise was through politics, but his rise to fame was through sport, football in particular. He used the Mohammedan Sporting Club’s massive reach across the state as well as in many parts of the country to good effect, uniting many disparate factions. He was Mamata Banerjee’s quiet, yet very useful support in the city.

Ahmed was originally from the Congress and had been two-time MLA from Entally, and a successful one at that. The Congress’ decline in the state became stark with top functionaries jumping ship, of who Ahmed was one.

He has been in controversies as well, especially in the Narada sting case where he was shown taking a wad of notes, purportedly for party funding, but alleged to be a bribe. His bigger worry was his brother, Iqbal Ahmed, who has been a known trouble maker in the city, and was one of the main orgainsers of protests against Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen. It was primarily because of these protests that the self-exiled Nasreen had to leave Kolkata. Iqbal was arrested more than once by the police and was a blot on Ahmed’s career.

Ahmed’s other main strength was his relationship with the media. He always answered calls personally; if he was busy, he would call back. This was one characteristic of Ahmed that endeared him to the media, especially those from West Bengal. And Ahmed used this to effect, being able to argue on a face-to-face basis with journalists that other TMC MLAs would not (they still do not, bearing a strange apathy towards the Fourth Estate).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

PM Modi marks Operation Sindoor anniversary, calls it India’s firm stand against terrorism

PM Modi said Operation Sindoor showcased India’s firm response against terrorism while paying tribute to the armed forces on the operation’s first anniversary.

Published

3 hours ago

on

May 7, 2026

By

PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm response against terrorism and highlighted the country’s commitment to national security.

Marking one year of the operation, the Prime Minister praised the courage, precision and professionalism of the Indian armed forces. He said the military action was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in 2025.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, as a calibrated tri-services operation targeting terror infrastructure linked to cross-border terrorism. Reports said the operation showcased coordinated action by the armed forces and was seen as a major counter-terror response by India.

On the anniversary of the operation, PM Modi also changed the display pictures across his social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The image carried the text “Operation Sindoor” along with the Indian tricolour design.

The Indian Air Force also shared visuals and messages recalling the operation and highlighting India’s military response. A video released by the force described the operation as a strong message against terrorism and referred to the precision strikes carried out during the mission.

Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to official statements and reports published at the time.

Continue Reading

India News

Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor again as TVK pushes to prove majority

TVK chief Vijay held another meeting with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the party intensified efforts to secure majority support after emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.

Published

3 hours ago

on

May 7, 2026

By

Actor vijay

Actor-turned-politician Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again on Thursday as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), continued efforts to prove it has enough support to form the next government in the state.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after winning 108 seats, but it remains short of the majority mark of 118.

The Congress has extended support to TVK, adding five MLAs to Vijay’s side. However, the alliance still needs additional backing from other parties or independents to comfortably cross the halfway mark.

According to reports, the Governor has not yet been fully convinced that TVK currently has the required numbers to form a stable government. This has delayed clarity over the swearing-in ceremony and the formal invitation to form the government.

Political activity intensified after reports emerged that some AIADMK legislators were moved to a resort in Puducherry amid speculation over possible support to TVK. AIADMK leaders, however, publicly denied any internal crisis.

TVK sources have expressed confidence that the party will be able to demonstrate majority support during discussions with the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu election results marked a major political shift in the state, with TVK breaking the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in its first Assembly election contest.

Continue Reading

India News

PM Modi changes social media profile pictures to mark Operation Sindoor anniversary

PM Modi changed his social media profile pictures to commemorate one year of Operation Sindoor, with several NDA leaders following the move.

Published

3 hours ago

on

May 7, 2026

By

PM Modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday updated the display pictures of his social media accounts to mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. The new image was seen across his profiles on X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp channels.

The updated profile picture carries the text “Operation Sindoor” on a black background along with elements of the Indian tricolour. One of the letters in the word “Sindoor” has been stylised using vermilion, commonly associated with married Hindu women.

Operation Sindoor was launched a year ago by Indian defence forces and the Border Security Force along the western border. The anniversary was also marked by several Union ministers and NDA leaders, who changed their social media profile pictures in a similar manner.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior leaders were among those who adopted the commemorative display image on social media platforms, according to reports.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com