New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed anguish at the death of Rajya Sabha member and managing director of leading Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi M P Veerendra Kumar, saying he believed in giving a voice to the poor and the underprivileged.

Veerendra Kumar, a former Union minister and member of PTI's Board of Directors, died on Thursday following a cardiac arrest.

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"Anguished by the passing away of Rajya Sabha MP Shri M.P. Veerendra Kumar Ji. He distinguished himself as an effective legislator and Parliamentarian," Modi wrote on Twitter.

Veerendra Kumar believed in giving a voice to the poor and the underprivileged, the prime minister added.

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"Condolences to his family and well wishers. Om Shanti," Modi said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)