Kerala politicians mourn demise of veteran CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan

Vijayan cancels Europe visit

Vijayan, who was supposed to travel to Europe for a two-week-long tour cancelled his trip to fly to Chennai and pay his tribute to his dear friend and comrade.

Later in the night, the press release by the Apollo hospital where he was admitted, expressed profound grief over his demise and said the former CPI(M) state secretary passed away at 8 pm.

“He was treated in the critical care unit by a team of doctors for multi-organ dysfunction. Despite all active medical measures, his clinical condition deteriorated gradually and he passed away today. We join Mr Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s family members in profoundly mourning his loss,” the press release said.

 We dip the red flag in homage: CPI(M)

“Long Live Com Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. It is with deep grief and sorrow that we give the news of the passing away of Veteran communist Comrade Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Politburo member of the CPI(M) and former Secretary of Kerala State Committee. We dip the red flag in homage,” read CPI(M)’s tweet on Saturday night.

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, senior CPI(M) leader who died in Chennai on 1 October. (KB Jayachandran/South First)

CPI(M) Politburo member MA Baby recounted his student days when he worked with Balakrishnan.

“My relationship with him started during the days of student politics. We worked together in KSF, an organisation previous to the formation of SFI. In the 1970s, we worked in the SFI State Committee,” he said. 

Baby said his relationship with Balakrishnan continued for many decades as they worked together in state committees, state secretariat and central committees of the party. According to Baby, Balakrishnan was a leader of the masses and adored by the public.

“The demise of comrade is a great loss for the communist party as well as for the people of Kerala,” said MV Govindan, the current state secretary of CPI(M). He added that Balakrishnan’s life was like an open book that can be read by anyone.

Speaking to Manorama News CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was a great treasure given by the student-youth politics in the state.

He said he has associated with Balakrishnan in multiple struggles inside and outside the state Assembly. Rajendran also said Balakrishnan was someone who had “good relations with people from all political parties”. 

Opposition reactions

Kerala will always remember Kodiyeri Balakrishnan for being an exemplary statesman and a politician said Ramesh Chennithala of the Congress party. Paying tributes to the left leader, Chennithala said he had friendly relations with Balakrishnan since their student days and was in contact with him during his illness.

VD Satheesan, leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, posted on Facebook that Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was “a complete politician”.

“Kodiyeri Balakrishnan was a complete politician. Kodiyeri’s lifeblood was literally politics. With his smile and loving words, Kodiyeri became a favourite of all, irrespective of politics,” Satheesan said in his post. 

He added that Kodiyeri gave those around him the confidence that he would survive despite the pain of his illness with his natural smile.

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan also mourned the veteran communist leader’s demise.

In a series of tweets, he said: “Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of former Minister & senior leader Sri #KodiyeriBalakrishnan. His calm, friendly nature and unwavering commitment to ensuring people’s welfare endeared him to everyone.

“The contributions of Sri #KodiyeriBalakrishnan as minister and as a leader who earned mass support through his involvement in social causes will be long remembered. May his soul attain Mukti.”