Senior CPI(M) leader and ex-Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan passes away

He had been undergoing treatment for cancer for some time

CPM politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan died at the age of 68 on Saturday.

Balakrishnan was under treatment at Apollo Hospital in Chennai since August. He died by around 8 pm. He was suffering from cancer over the last few years and had also gone abroad for treatment earlier.

Party sources said that Balakrishnan's body will be brought to his native place, Thalassery, in the Kannur district of Kerala by Sunday. His funeral will be held on Monday at Payyambalam beach where many top CPM leaders were cremated.

Balakrishnan, who was a former Home and Tourism minister and five time MLA, leaves behind wife Vinodini and sons Binoy and Bineesh.

Balakrishnan stepped down from the party Kerala secretary post in August owing to ill health. He was elected as the party state secretary for the third consecutive term in March.

Despite his health problems, Balakrishnan performed his responsibilities as party secretary. He played key role in organising CPM national congress in Kannur in April. But he himself insisted that someone should replace him and hence M V Govindan was made the party secretary in August.

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Balakrishnan was a close confidant of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Vijayan, who was supposed to leave on a foreign trip on Saturday night, postponed the trip. He said in his condolence message that Balakrishnan was like a brother to him and he was among those leaders who played key role in strengthening the party.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minster M K Stalin offered last respects to Balakrishnan at the Apollo hospital.

Balakrishnan was widely remembered by most leaders for his cordial approach and politeness, as well as his dedication to the communist party.

Congress senior leader A K Antony highlighted the cordial relations Balakrishnan used to maintain even with political opponents.

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said that Balakrishnan's calm, friendly nature and unwavering commitment to ensuring people's welfare endeared him to everyone.

Balakrishnan entered politics during his school days. He participated in many agitations and was even jailed on several occasions.

He was elected to Kerala Assembly for five times from Thalassery and had served as Home and Tourism Minister in the V S Achuthanandan ministry from 2006 to 2011.

During his tenure as Home Minister, Balakrishnan gave priority to ensure welfare of police personnel too and introduced many reforms. He also played a key role in amending the Kerala Police Act.

Balakrishnan often faced embarrassments owing to allegations against his sons Binoy and Bineesh.