Senior CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan passes away at 68

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan death: The CPM leader was under treatment at the Appollo hospitals in Chennai for the last three weeks.

TN National Desk

Updated Oct 1, 2022, 21:56 IST

CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan

Chennai: Senior CPM leader and former Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan passed away at the age of 68, said party sources on Saturday. He died while undergoing treatment in Chennai this evening.

According to reports, Kodiyeri was under treatment at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai for the last three weeks. He had stepped down as state CPM secretary on August 29 to undergo treatment for cancer.

"Red Salute and deep homage to Comrade Kodiyeri Balakrishnan," the party's official handle tweeted.

Kerala Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer shared a photo of the departed leader in his Facebook post and said "Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. Adieu Dear Balakrishnetta".

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan postponed his trip to Europe, which was scheduled from Sunday, due to Balakrishnan's critical health condition.

Statement shared by Apollo Hospitals
Photo : Times Now

Hailing from Kannur, Balakrishnan popularly known as Kodiyeri, had an affable disposition which won him many friends, even from the opposition parties.

A polit bureau member of the Marxist party, Balakrishnan had served as the CPI(M)'s state secretary from 2015 to 2022. A multiple-time MLA, he also served as the Minister of Home and Tourism Affairs in the V S Achuthanandan ministry from 2006 to 2011.

The news about Kodiyeri's battle with cancer had surfaced in 2020 and he had been to the US twice for treatment.

In 2021, he was given a leave for treatment and in the state party conference held early this year, he was given a third term, but his health condition deteriorated forcing him to step down.

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