Veteran Cong leader Abdur Rauf Ansari dies at 81

Kolkata, May 18: Veteran Congress leader and former minister Abdur Rauf Ansari last night died at a city hospital after prolonged illness, according to West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) acting presdient Pradip Bhattacharjee.

He was 81 and is survived by his wife, a daughter and sons.

Ansari, who represented the Bowbazar constituency in West Bengal Assembly in 1971, 1972 and 1982, was admitted to Islamia hospital in the city two days back for multiple complications and died at about 2000 hours today.

He was also elected five times to the then Calcutta Municipal Corporation on Congress tickets.

He was former AICC member, ex-acting president of state party and was WBPCC member until death.

Mr Bhattacharjee said his death would cause vacuum to the party's minority cell tremendously.

Former state Congress president Somen Mitra also condoled the sleath of the party's veteran leader.

His last rites will be held tomorrow.

UNI