The Hindu : Kerala News : Leaders pay glowing tributes to Nayanar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Leaders pay glowing tributes to Nayanar

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 25. Leaders of various political parties paid glowing tributes to the former Chief Minister, E.K. Nayanar, at a condolence meeting here today.

Organised by the Thiruvananthapuram district committee of the CPI(M), the meeting turned out to be an occasion for the leaders to recall their association with the veteran communist leader and the way he had endeared himself to the people both as an administrator and a human being.

A condolence resolution adopted by the meeting termed Nayanar's death a major loss for the Left and secular movement in the country. Nayanar grew up as a fighter in the anti-colonial and anti-feudal struggles and left his mark in the spheres he was involved in. Nayanar, the resolution moved by the CPI(M) district secretary, M. Vijayakumar, recalled, was a humanist first and last and his love for the people was boundless.

Offering his condolences, the CPI(M) State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, said Nayanar had drawn energy from the people and that he never compromised on positions that he firmly believed in.

The senior CPI leader, P.K. Vasudevan Nair, MP, said Nayanar's presence at the helm was crucial for the emergence of the Left Democratic Front as a credible and stable alliance of Leftist and centrist political parties. Nayanar could do this because he always trod the path of consensus.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister, M.M. Hassan, recalled that Nayanar was a person who was the personification of blemishless character and high principles. He was a leader of stature who entered the hearts of the ordinary people with his humour, Mr. Hassan added.

The Industries Minister, P.K. Kunhalikkutty, said Nayanar was a great soul who placed primary emphasis on public interest. The BJP State general secretary, K. Raman Pillai, said Nayanar had the amazing quality to transcend political barriers in personal relationship even while holding firm to his political faith.

The Cooperation Minister, M.V. Raghavan, said Nayanar was loved by both his friends and foes.

Condolence in Delhi

The Kerala Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, and the Minister for State for External Affairs, E. Ahamed, today hailed Nayanar as the ``people's leader with human touch''. They were speaking at a condolence meeting held at the Kerala House in New Delhi. Mr. Antony said Nayanar's death had created a vacuum not only in Kerala politics but also at the national level. T. K.A. Nair, Officer on Special Duty in the Prime Minister's Office, also attended the meeting. - UNI

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