Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH :

Former Congress leader Ghufran-e-Azam passed away on Thursday morning at a hospital in Mumbai after a prolonged illness. He was 70. Family sources informed that his Namaz-e-Janaza would be held at Iqbal maidan after the Friday prayers and he would be buried in the Bada Bagh graveyard.

Azam was suffering from a heart ailment. Last week, he was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Hospital where he died this morning at about 3 am due to multiple organ failure, family sources said. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Arun Yadav have expressed grief over the death of Azam.

Azam was elected as a Lok Sabha member from Betul seat in 1980. Last year, he was expelled from the membership of All India Congress Committee (AICC) following his remarks against top leadership and indulging in anti-party activities.

Later, he had filed a defamation suit against Congress leaders for expelling him from the party, allegedly without following rules and procedures.

The State BJP Government had earlier appointed him as the chairman of Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board. He also remained president of the Bhopal Hockey Association and also remained in the national body of Indian Hockey Association.

Chief Minister Chouhan, mentioning the services of Azam, said that he always remained concerned for the issues pertaining to socio-economic status of the minority community. Chouhan has prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss.

MPCC president Arun Yadav has expressed profound grief on the death of senior party leader and former parliamentarian Azam. He has prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this loss.

Yadav said that Azam was a tall leader of Muslim community and Congress, he had an impressive personality and he made his special identity in every field. In his death the Congress and the State has lost a tall leader and personality besides the party has suffered irreparable loss.

source: http://www.dailypioneer.com / The Pioneer / Home> State Editions> Bhopal / by Staff Reporter / Friday – April 03rd, 2015