Kochi: Former Public Works Minister and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader V K Ebrahim Kunju passed away on Tuesday. He was 73. He died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kochi.

Public viewing will be held from 6 pm on Tuesday at Najath Public School, Kalamassery. The mortal remains will be taken from his residence in Aluva at 9 am on Wednesday, followed by the funeral at the Alangad Juma Masjid cemetery at 10 am.

A prominent IUML leader in central Kerala, Ebrahim Kunju, served as a minister twice. He entered the Kerala Assembly from Mattancherry in 2001. He later won from Kalamassery in the 2011 and 2016 Assembly elections.

A native of Kongorpilly in Alangad, Ernakulam district, Ebrahim Kunju held several key positions within the IUML, including that of district president. He also played an active role in the party’s trade union wing, the STU, serving as an office-bearer in various capacities.

He joined the Cabinet for the first time in 2005 as Industries and Social Welfare Minister under the United Democratic Front (UDF) government, following the resignation of then Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, and served until May 2006. Ebrahim Kunju later served as Public Works Minister in the Oommen Chandy-led UDF government from 2011 to 2016.

Ebrahim Kunju had his share of controversies when the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) arrested him over his role in the Palarivattom flyover scam. The case related to the alleged irregularities in the construction of the flyover at a busy junction in Kochi.

Hospital sources said Ebrahim Kunju had been undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma and was also suffering from heart failure and chronic kidney disease. He was under the care of Dr V P Gangadharan, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Medical and Paediatric Oncology at VPS Lakeshore Hospital. Doctors admitted him on Sunday following health complications.

He is survived by his wife, Nadeera, and three sons: Adv V E Abdul Gafur, V E Abbas (London), and V E Anoob.