Veteran Congress leader P. P. Thankachan laid to rest

Congress veteran and former Minister P. P. Thankachan was laid to rest on Saturday at the Mar Sabor Afroth Jacobite Syrian Cathedral in Nedumbassery as hundreds paid their last respects to the leader.

Congress leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala and Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan, and Agriculture Minister P. Prasad, paid tribute to the veteran politician. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan paid last respects to Thankachan at his residence in Perumbavoor on Friday. The State government accorded official honours at his residence.

Thankachan, 87, passed away at a private hospital in Ernakulam on Thursday. He served as the 14th Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from 1991 to 1995 and as Agriculture Minister when A.K. Antony took over the reins as Chief Minister from K. Karunakaran in 1995.