Kerala - Kozhikode   

Balan Vaidyar dead

Kozhikode: C.P. Balan Vidyar, former MLA and a senior CPI(M) leader, died in the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in the early hours of Saturday after a brief illness. He was 72.

The body was laid to rest at his residence in Chelannur later in the day. Balan Vaidyar was elected three times from Kunnamangalam Assembly constituency. He had contested the last Assembly election also but was defeated.

An active Communist since 1957, Balan Vaidyar had served as State joint-secretary of Karshaka Sangham, CPI(M)’s farmers’ front, and held various posts in a number of party outfits. He was also chairman of the CPI(M) State Control Commission.

CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, Minister for Local Administration Paloli Mohammed Kutty, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Industries Minister Elamaram Karim, and Electricity Minister A.K. Balan paid their last respects to the comrade.

Hundreds of party workers also paid homage to Balan Vaidyar at the Town Hall where his body was kept for the public to pay their last respects.

He is survived by two sons.

The CPI(M) district committee has condoled the death of Balan Vaidyar.

In a condolence message, T.P. Ramakrishnan, committee secretary, recalled the enthusiasm that he showed in raising farmers’ issues in the Assembly.

A politician with a wide network of friends, Balan Vaidyar commanded respect and affection of even those who did not share his political views, Mr. Ramakrishnan said. His demise is a heavy loss to the party and to people of Kozhikode district.

In a condolence message, Cooperation Minister K. Sudhakaran said the passing away of Balan Vaidyar was a big loss to the leftist forces, the working class and the farmers.

The Communist Marxist Party condoled the death and recalled the role he played in building the farmers’ movement in Kozhikode district.

Special Correspondent adds from Thiruvananthapuram:

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and his Cabinet colleagues have condoled the death of Balan Vaidyar.

In his condolence message, the Chief Minister said Balan Vaidyar had played a prominent role in building the farmers’ movement in Malabar.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran and Forest Minister Benoy Viswom have also expressed condolences.

A government release here said that it had been decided to cremate Balan Vaidyar’s body with police honours.

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