<p>Veteran CPI(M) leader and former legislator Anathalavattom Anandan, who played a key role in building the trade union base for the party in Kerala, died at a hospital here on Thursday, his colleagues said.</p>.<p>He was 86. He is survived by his wife and two children.</p>.<p>The veteran leader's end came while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College hospital here for a prolonged illness, party sources said.</p>.<p>Anandan was the state president of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU).</p>.<p>Born in Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district in 1937, Anandan began his political career in 1954 by participating in an agitation seeking more wages for coir workers in his village.</p>.<p>He became a member of the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1956, and stood with it after the split in the party in 1964.</p>.<p>Fighting for the cause of the working class in the state, Anandan played a key role in building the trade union base of the party in the state.</p>.<p>As the leader of the CITU, he led several agitations for the workers in both organised and unorganised sectors.</p>.<p>The veteran leader was elected to the state assembly from the Attingal constituency three times--in 1987, 1996 and 2007.</p>.<p>Anandan was also a prominent face of the CPI(M) in the TV debates.</p>.<p>His body will be kept at the CPI(M) headquarters here on Friday for the public to pay homage.</p>.<p>His cremation will be held at Santhikavadam here at 5 pm on Friday, the party said.</p>.<p>Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Finance Minister K N Balagopal, and leaders of various political parties including, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, V D Satheesan, and BJP state chief K Surendran condoled the demise of Anandan.</p>.<p>In his message, Khan said Anandan's contributions to public service and workers' causes will be long remembered.</p>.<p>Vijayan said Anandan was a leader who dedicated his life to the working-class movement.</p>.<p>Recalling his long association with the departed leader, the chief minister said he was a strong organiser of the Communist movement in the state.</p>.<p>Whenever the Communist movement came under attack, Anandan actively intervened to convey the correct position of the party to the people and convinced them.</p>.<p>'The general society of Kerala as a whole and the Left movement and the trade union movement in particular have suffered a heavy loss due to the demise of Comrade,' Vijayan said, paying tribute to Anandan. </p>
<p>Veteran CPI(M) leader and former legislator Anathalavattom Anandan, who played a key role in building the trade union base for the party in Kerala, died at a hospital here on Thursday, his colleagues said.</p>.<p>He was 86. He is survived by his wife and two children.</p>.<p>The veteran leader's end came while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College hospital here for a prolonged illness, party sources said.</p>.<p>Anandan was the state president of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU).</p>.<p>Born in Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district in 1937, Anandan began his political career in 1954 by participating in an agitation seeking more wages for coir workers in his village.</p>.<p>He became a member of the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1956, and stood with it after the split in the party in 1964.</p>.<p>Fighting for the cause of the working class in the state, Anandan played a key role in building the trade union base of the party in the state.</p>.<p>As the leader of the CITU, he led several agitations for the workers in both organised and unorganised sectors.</p>.<p>The veteran leader was elected to the state assembly from the Attingal constituency three times--in 1987, 1996 and 2007.</p>.<p>Anandan was also a prominent face of the CPI(M) in the TV debates.</p>.<p>His body will be kept at the CPI(M) headquarters here on Friday for the public to pay homage.</p>.<p>His cremation will be held at Santhikavadam here at 5 pm on Friday, the party said.</p>.<p>Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Finance Minister K N Balagopal, and leaders of various political parties including, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, V D Satheesan, and BJP state chief K Surendran condoled the demise of Anandan.</p>.<p>In his message, Khan said Anandan's contributions to public service and workers' causes will be long remembered.</p>.<p>Vijayan said Anandan was a leader who dedicated his life to the working-class movement.</p>.<p>Recalling his long association with the departed leader, the chief minister said he was a strong organiser of the Communist movement in the state.</p>.<p>Whenever the Communist movement came under attack, Anandan actively intervened to convey the correct position of the party to the people and convinced them.</p>.<p>'The general society of Kerala as a whole and the Left movement and the trade union movement in particular have suffered a heavy loss due to the demise of Comrade,' Vijayan said, paying tribute to Anandan. </p>