Kerala governor and former chief minister of Puducherry M.O.H. Farook, had also held the post of Union minister and ambassador of India in Saudi Arabia and, subsequently, the gubernatorial post in Jharkhand and Kerala. The 74-year-old Congress leader was an astute administrator and contributed much to the development of Puduch-erry during his tenure as chief minister thrice.
born on September 6, 1937 in Karaikal, he began his career as a Congress volunteer in his student days and never faced defeat in any of the electoral battles he contested. He became Puducherry CM between April 1967 and March 1968 when he was in the Congress.
Farook switched allegiance to the DMK in 1968 due to developments in neighbouring Tamil Nadu following which the DMK captured power in 1969. However, he returned to the Congress and contested the elections held in 1974 as its nominee. But, he could only serve as Opposition leader as the AIADMK formed the government for the first time.
“He abstained from political battle for three years from 1977 but was chiefly instrumental in formulating political strategies in the larger interest of improving Congress’ sway over the public. He deserves credit for providing a stable government in Puducherry, and headed the Congress government in 1985 which lasted in office for its full term till 1990,” according to a senior Congress leader. He was hailed as the kingmaker of Puducherry politics.
Pondy declares 3-day mourning for former CM
The Puducherry government on Friday declared a three-day mourning as a mark of respect for Kerala Governor and former chief minister of Puducherry M.O.H. Farook who died at a private hospital in Chennai on Thursday where he had been undergoing treatment since last month for renal and other ailments.
Emerging out of a hurriedly convened cabinet meeting, N. Rangasamy, CM, said as a mark of respect to the departed leader there would be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning and all arrangements had been made to give a state funeral for Mr Farook. The ministers also recalled his invaluable services for Pondy.
