P. M. Sayeed

Padanatha Mohammed Sayeed (10 May 1941 – 10 December 2005) was a leader of the Indian National Congress party. He was a member of Lok Sabha for ten consecutive terms from 1967–2004. representing Lakshadweep.

Early life

P.M. Sayeed was born in Andrott Island, Lakshadweep. He studied at Government Arts College, Mangalore and at Sidhartha College of Law, Mumbai.

Political career

P.M. Sayeed was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1967 at the age of 26. He served as Union Minister of State, Steel, Coal and Mines in 1979–1980; Union Minister of State, Home Affairs 1993–1995; Union Minister of State, Information and Broadcasting 1995–1996; and Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha 1998–2004. He was a member of the Congress Working Committee.

Sayeed won the Lok Sabha elections in 1967 and continued to win every election till 2004 serving for ten consecutive terms as Member of Parliament for Lakshadweep in total. This run was halted when he was defeated by Dr P Pookunhikoya of Janata Dal (United) in the 2004 general election by 71 votes. He then became a member of the Rajya Sabha representing the National Capital territory of Delhi. He was Union Power Minister when he died of a cardiac arrest in Seoul on 18 December 2005 .

His son Muhammed Hamdulla Sayeed, 26, a Law graduate from Indian Society College in Pune, was elected 16 May 2009 from the Lakshadweep constituency to the 15th Lok Sabha. He was the youngest member of the 15th Lok Sabha.