<p>Veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman, who also served as Governor of Mizoram, passed away at a private hospital here on Monday, party sources said.</p>.<p>He was 96.</p>.<p>Purushothaman was taken to KIMS hospital in the morning due to some health problems, a party leader said.</p>.<p>Apart from Mizoram, the veteran leader also served as Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</p>.<p>Kerala Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition in the assembly V D Satheesan condoled the death of the Congress stalwart.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/ex-bengal-cm-buddhadeb-bhattacharya-still-critical-1242344.html">Ex-Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya still critical</a></strong></p>.<p>Shamseer said that the late Congress leader was a guide to assembly Speakers who came after him.</p>.<p>Vijayan, in a statement, said that Purushothaman made his mark as a Governor, Speaker, parliamentarian and a minister handling various departments.</p>.<p>The Chief Minister said that the Congress stalwart always stuck to his stand and decisions even in the face of controversy.</p>.<p>Satheesan, in a Facebook post, remembered Purushothaman as a strong and commanding leader and legislator who was an exemplary role model for politicians as he never succumbed to any pressure.</p>.<p>He also said that the former Kerala assembly Speaker's demise was also a personal loss to him.</p>.<p>Purushothaman was a cabinet minister in the Kerala government between 1971-1977, 1980 to 1981 and 2004 to 2006.</p>.<p>He was the speaker of Kerala legislative assembly from 1982-1984 and 2001-2004.</p>.<p>According to the Kerala assembly website, Purushothaman started his political life as an active worker of the Students Congress in 1946.</p>
<p>Veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman, who also served as Governor of Mizoram, passed away at a private hospital here on Monday, party sources said.</p>.<p>He was 96.</p>.<p>Purushothaman was taken to KIMS hospital in the morning due to some health problems, a party leader said.</p>.<p>Apart from Mizoram, the veteran leader also served as Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</p>.<p>Kerala Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition in the assembly V D Satheesan condoled the death of the Congress stalwart.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/east-and-northeast/ex-bengal-cm-buddhadeb-bhattacharya-still-critical-1242344.html">Ex-Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya still critical</a></strong></p>.<p>Shamseer said that the late Congress leader was a guide to assembly Speakers who came after him.</p>.<p>Vijayan, in a statement, said that Purushothaman made his mark as a Governor, Speaker, parliamentarian and a minister handling various departments.</p>.<p>The Chief Minister said that the Congress stalwart always stuck to his stand and decisions even in the face of controversy.</p>.<p>Satheesan, in a Facebook post, remembered Purushothaman as a strong and commanding leader and legislator who was an exemplary role model for politicians as he never succumbed to any pressure.</p>.<p>He also said that the former Kerala assembly Speaker's demise was also a personal loss to him.</p>.<p>Purushothaman was a cabinet minister in the Kerala government between 1971-1977, 1980 to 1981 and 2004 to 2006.</p>.<p>He was the speaker of Kerala legislative assembly from 1982-1984 and 2001-2004.</p>.<p>According to the Kerala assembly website, Purushothaman started his political life as an active worker of the Students Congress in 1946.</p>