Kochi: Political leaders cutting across party affiliations in the state have bereaved at the sudden death of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state president Uzhavur Vijayan. He died at private hospital on Sunday morning.
The 60-year old leader was admitted in the hospital two days ago with multiple ailments including liver cirrhosis and coronary artery diseases. He was placed on ventilator support following the worsening of his health condition and the end came on Sunday morning. His wife and two daughters were present in the hospital at the time of his death.
Uzhavur Vijayan
Vijayan, known for his sense of humour and highly popular satirical political speeches, was ailing for the past two months and was under treatment in a hospital in Kottayam before being shifted to a Kochi hospital. The body has been taken to Kottayam to his native place at Kuruchithanam near Uzhavur before being placed at Kottayam town for people to pay their last respects and homage. The cremation will be held on Monday at the residential premises at 12 noon.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, former chief ministers V.S. Achuthanandan, Oommen Chandy, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, Kerala Congress leader PJ Joseph and several others expressed their condolences on the death of Vijayan.
Congress (S) leader and Shipping Minister Kadannappally Ramachandran said he had lost a personal friend political comrade with the death of Vijayan. A number of political leaders in Ernakulam including VD Satheesan and PT Thomas MLAs, CPM district secretary P Rajeev and several others reached the hospital in the morning after hearing the news. NCP leader T Peethambaran, AK Saseendran and others also reached the hospital and made arrangements for the funeral procession to Kottayam and to his native place.
The NCP leader known for casting a spell on the audience started his political career as an activist of Kerala Student Union (KSU), the student outfit of Congress, became part of the Left Democratic Front due to split in the Congress unit in Kerala. Vijayan was with AK Antony when the veteran leader revolted against Indira Gandhi and joined with Sharad Pawar to form the Congress(S). Although Antony went back to the parent body Vijayan remained in Congress (S) and joined NCP when Pawar floated the new party. He contested against Kerala Congress leader K.M. Mani at Pala as an LDF candidate in 2001 assembly elections.
