Senior Muslim leader Banatwala passes away

Mumbai, Jun 25 (UNI) Senior Muslim leader and former Member of Parliament Gulam Mehmood Banatwala died here today in a private hospital following a massive heart attack.

A veteran leder of the Indian Union Muslim League, Mr Banatwala, who was born on August 15,1933, was a senior parliamentarian having won seven terms to the Lok Sabha from Ponani in Malapuram in Kerala.

His newphew Ismail Banatwala said that his unle had returned from Chennai yesterday and was resting at his residence in Agripada in South Mumbai. He complained of chestpain and was immediately rushed to a hospital where he breathed his last.

Seventyfive year old Banatwala had started his political carrier in Muslim League.

He was a Member of Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra Legislature from 1967. He was elected Member of Legislative Assembly from Umarkhadi counstitency of Mumbai and till 1977 he was reprsenting the same counstituency.

In the 6th Lok Sabha in 1977 he was first elected as MP from Kerala and then till 1999 he was in Lok Sabha .

Known as a good orator Banatwala is survived by three brothers.

His wife had expired few years back and he had no children.

According to family sources the funeral would take place tomorrow morning. Minister of External Affairs E Ahmed is expected to attend the funeral, the sources said.

UNI AAA VK AM NS1852