<p>CPI stalwart C K Chandrappan, a dominant figure of Indian mainstream Left for the last several decades and former Lok Sabha member, died in a private hospital here today, party sources said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He had been undergoing treatment for cancer for the last few months and was admitted to hospital two days back after he suffered an infection.<br /><br />CPI's Kerala state secretary, Chandrappan (77) is survived by wife Bulu Roychoudhury, who was with him when the end came.<br /><br />Chandrappan was elected to Lok Sabha from Thalassery in 1971, Kannur in 1977 and from Thrissur in 2004. He was also elected to Kerala Assembly twice from hometown Cherthala.<br /><br />Hailing from the Communist fortress Vayalar in Alappuzha district,he was born on November 10, 1936 as son of Ammukutty Amma and C K Kumara Panicker, the legendary leader of the Vayalar uprising that shook the princely state Travancore on the eve of Independence.<br /><br />Entering politics at a very young age as activist of the Communist Party's student wing AISF, he held all-India positions in the Communist youth and student outfits. As a youth leader, he participated in the struggle for liberation of Goa from Portuguese hold.<br /><br />Ideologically, Chandrappan was known as a follower of late leader S A Dange, who famously propounded the line of Congress-Communist strategic alliance. However, he remained with the parent party when some of Dange's followers left the party in late 1970s.<br /><br />He became the party's Kerala state Secretary last year and was re-elected for a three year term to the post last month.<br /><br />Suave, softspoken and studious, Chandrappan made a deep impression as a serious debater in Parliament and assembly as he was well versed in a wide range of international and national issues. <br /><br />Chandrappan also led CPI's farmers' wing All India Kisan Sabha and was a keen trade unionist as well.<br /><br />Cutting across political lines, several leader expressed shock and grief at Chandrappan's death.<br /><br />Defence Minister A K Antony, who also hails from Cherthala and once defeated Chandrappan in assembly poll, said the departed leader was a role model in public life.<br />"Chandrappan had an unblemished record. Even as we remained in different political camps, we have kept our personal rapport without being harmed all these years", Antony said.<br /><br />Former Union Minister and SJD leader M P Veerendra Kumar said Chandrappan made a lasting impression as scholarly politician and gifted debater. He was gentle in his approach even as he firmly stood by his ideals and convictions.<br /><br />CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said Chandrappan was a model Communist who worked for the unity of the Left.</p>
<p>CPI stalwart C K Chandrappan, a dominant figure of Indian mainstream Left for the last several decades and former Lok Sabha member, died in a private hospital here today, party sources said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He had been undergoing treatment for cancer for the last few months and was admitted to hospital two days back after he suffered an infection.<br /><br />CPI's Kerala state secretary, Chandrappan (77) is survived by wife Bulu Roychoudhury, who was with him when the end came.<br /><br />Chandrappan was elected to Lok Sabha from Thalassery in 1971, Kannur in 1977 and from Thrissur in 2004. He was also elected to Kerala Assembly twice from hometown Cherthala.<br /><br />Hailing from the Communist fortress Vayalar in Alappuzha district,he was born on November 10, 1936 as son of Ammukutty Amma and C K Kumara Panicker, the legendary leader of the Vayalar uprising that shook the princely state Travancore on the eve of Independence.<br /><br />Entering politics at a very young age as activist of the Communist Party's student wing AISF, he held all-India positions in the Communist youth and student outfits. As a youth leader, he participated in the struggle for liberation of Goa from Portuguese hold.<br /><br />Ideologically, Chandrappan was known as a follower of late leader S A Dange, who famously propounded the line of Congress-Communist strategic alliance. However, he remained with the parent party when some of Dange's followers left the party in late 1970s.<br /><br />He became the party's Kerala state Secretary last year and was re-elected for a three year term to the post last month.<br /><br />Suave, softspoken and studious, Chandrappan made a deep impression as a serious debater in Parliament and assembly as he was well versed in a wide range of international and national issues. <br /><br />Chandrappan also led CPI's farmers' wing All India Kisan Sabha and was a keen trade unionist as well.<br /><br />Cutting across political lines, several leader expressed shock and grief at Chandrappan's death.<br /><br />Defence Minister A K Antony, who also hails from Cherthala and once defeated Chandrappan in assembly poll, said the departed leader was a role model in public life.<br />"Chandrappan had an unblemished record. Even as we remained in different political camps, we have kept our personal rapport without being harmed all these years", Antony said.<br /><br />Former Union Minister and SJD leader M P Veerendra Kumar said Chandrappan made a lasting impression as scholarly politician and gifted debater. He was gentle in his approach even as he firmly stood by his ideals and convictions.<br /><br />CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said Chandrappan was a model Communist who worked for the unity of the Left.</p>