Veteran Congress leader Phularenu Guha dies

Kolkata, July 28 (UNI) Former Union Minister, freedom fighter and social activist Phularenu Guha died at her south Kolkata residence today following age-related problems. She was 94.

The veteran Congress leader was a Minister of State for Social Welfare in the Indira Gandhi Cabinet.

She was Congress' Rajya Sabha member from 1964 to 1970.

Ms Guha was elected to Lok Sabha in 1984 and continued as a member till 1989.

Associated with a number of social organisations for women and destitutes, the Gandhian leader was married to noted scientist Brijesh Guha.

Both had donated all their property to Calcutta University.

Condoling her death, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said she was a great Congress leader as well as a great soul.

'' We have lost a great soul, an eminent politician and a freedom fighter in her death, '' he stated.

Congress working committee president Pradip Bhattacharya and former PCC chief Somen Mitra also expressed their shock at the death of the leader.

In a condolence message, CLP leader Manas Bhunia said Ms Guha represented an era, adding, '' We have lost our mother. '' Her body was kept at the historic Gandhi Bhawan at Beliaghata and would be brought to PCC office before creamation.

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