Kerala LoP VD Satheesan as mortal remains of PP Thankachan brought to Kochi
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Veteran Congress Leader PP Thankachan Passes Away: Kerala Mourns a Political Icon
In a sad moment for Kerala politics, the body of senior Congress leader PP Thankachan arrived at his Kochi home on Friday. People from across the state gathered to pay their respects as leaders shared heartfelt tributes to the veteran politician who dedicated over five decades to public service.
Thankachan, a beloved figure in Kerala’s Congress party, died on Thursday around 4:30 PM at a private hospital in Aluva. He was battling a respiratory infection and age-related health issues.
Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, spoke to about the deep loss. "The passing of senior leader PP Thankachan is a huge shock to all of us connected to him," Satheesan said. "He served as UDF convener for many years and made outstanding contributions as an administrator. His work strengthened the Congress party in Kerala. My heart goes out to his family and close associates."
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph also remembered Thankachan fondly. "PP Thankachan was one of the most senior Congress leaders in Kerala," Joseph shared. "He worked as an MLA, Speaker, and Minister. He stayed friendly with party workers and the public alike. His death is a big blow to his family, the local community, and the Indian National Congress in the state."
Thankachan’s remarkable political journey started young. He kicked off as a Perumbavoor municipal councillor and became its chairman from 1968 to 1980. At just 28, he earned the record as India’s youngest municipal chairman back then.
He climbed the ranks quickly, serving as block president, Ernakulam DCC president, and KPCC vice-president. Thankachan won the Perumbavoor seat in the Kerala Legislative Assembly four times from 1982 to 1996. In 1991, he took on the role of Speaker, and in 1992, he became the first from Kerala to join the Standing Committee of Presiding Officers of State Legislatures.
From May 1995 to May 1996, he served as Minister for Agriculture in the AK Antony cabinet. During this short but impactful time, he pushed key policies like free electricity for farmers, boosting Kerala’s agriculture sector.
As United Democratic Front (UDF) convenor from 2004 to 2018, Thankachan kept the alliance strong by coordinating between parties. He earned respect from all sides for his calm style, especially during tough times of internal conflicts in Congress. He even briefly led as KPCC president in 2004 and chaired Marketfed.
Beyond politics, Thankachan received the title of Commander from the Patriarch of the Jacobite Syrian Church, highlighting his community influence.
Kerala’s political circles remember PP Thankachan as a unifying force whose legacy in Congress politics and public service will inspire many.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
