Mumbai/Thiruvananthapuram: Indian Union Muslim League President G M Banatwala, the national face of the minority community and a seven time Lok Sabha MP from Kerala, died in Mumbai on Wednesday after a brief illness.
Banatwala was 74. His wife died a few years ago and he had no children.
Banatwala's death plunged IUML circles in Kerala into gloom as he was part and parcel of the politics in the state.
He represented Ponnani parliamentary constituency in the IUML heartland of Malappuram from 1977 to 1989 and after a break from 1996 to 2004.
A gifted parliamentarian and orator, Banatwala espoused the cause of Muslims in Parliament on crucial issues like the Shah Bano case, demolition of the Babri Masjid and minority rights, including the personal law.
Ismail Banatwala, his nephew, told PTI that the Muslim League leader lived with his brothers after the death of his wife. He had attended the platinum jubilee celebrations of IUML in Chennai last Saturday.
"When he returned home early this week, he felt uneasy, restless and feverish. This morning he had breakfast with all of us. At about 1430 HRS , he experienced uneasiness and breathed his last on the way to hospital," Ismail said.
The mortal remains of Banatwala is to be brought to his Agripada home in south Mumbai. Several of his colleagues from Kerala are expected to attend the funeral.
Born in Mumbai, Banatwala was returned to Parliament with very high margins reflecting the trust the people in the North Kerala area dominated by Mappila Muslims reposed on him.
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