Senior Congress leader PP Thankachan, former Kerala Assembly Speaker and ex-KPCC president, passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 88. He died around 4:30 pm at a private hospital in Aluva, where he was being treated for respiratory problems and age-related health issues.
Condolences from the Chief Minister
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his grief over Thankachan’s death, remembering him as a gentle and calm leader. “He rose from grassroots politics to state leadership without any controversies. In every role he held, he left a unique mark,” Vijayan said. He added, “As a minister and assembly speaker, he was able to unite people and guide them forward. Thankachan, who served as KPCC president and UDF convenor for a long time, was friendly and respected by everyone. I share the sorrow of his family and colleagues.”
A Life Dedicated to Politics
Thankachan’s political journey in Kerala lasted more than five decades. He started as a councillor in Perumbavoor and later served as its municipal chairman from 1968 to 1980, becoming the youngest municipal chairman in India at the time. He also held positions as block president, Ernakulam DCC president, and KPCC vice-president.
Legislative and Ministerial Roles
He represented the Perumbavoor constituency in the Kerala Legislative Assembly four times from 1982 to 1996. In 1991, he became Assembly Speaker and, in 1992, was the first Kerala Speaker nominated to the Standing Committee of Presiding Officers of State Legislatures. He also served as Agriculture Minister in the AK Antony cabinet from May 1995 to May 1996, introducing key initiatives, including free electricity for farmers.
Leadership and Recognition
As UDF convenor from 2004 to 2018, Thankachan coordinated the alliance’s activities and earned respect for his conciliatory approach during internal conflicts. He briefly served as KPCC president in 2004 and also chaired Marketfed. Apart from politics, he was honoured with the title of Commander by the Patriarch of the Jacobite Syrian Church. The family will announce the funeral arrangements soon.
