Daijiworld Media Network - Thrissur
Thrissur, Oct 14: Babu M. Palissery, senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former two-time MLA from the Kunnamkulam constituency, passed away on Tuesday afternoon at a private hospital in Thrissur. He was 67.
Palissery had been hospitalised two days earlier due to breathing difficulties and had reportedly been battling health issues for some time. His passing has triggered an outpouring of grief across Kerala’s political and cultural circles.
A prominent face in Kerala’s leftist politics, Palissery was not only respected for his legislative work but also admired for his talents beyond politics — having acted in plays and films, and known widely for his powerful oratory. His political career began in student movements, eventually rising through the ranks to lead the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) in Thrissur district.
CPI(M) district secretary Abdul Khader, who worked closely with Palissery in the DYFI, expressed deep sorrow. “He was the DYFI secretary when I was president. His loss is deeply personal and a great blow to the party,” Khader said. Funeral arrangements are currently being coordinated, with party leaders and family members gathering in Thrissur.
Palissery entered electoral politics in 1989, winning a seat in the local village council. He later rose to statewide prominence by winning the Kunnamkulam seat in the 2006 Kerala Assembly elections, securing a massive victory margin of 21,785 votes. He was re-elected in 2011, defeating C.P. John and serving until 2016.
Born to P. Raman Nair and Amminiyamma, Babu Palissery was the eldest of five siblings. He married Indira at age 38, and the couple has two children. Known for his commitment to public welfare, he remained deeply connected to grassroots struggles throughout his career.
Condolences have poured in from across party lines, with many recalling Palissery's unwavering dedication to leftist principles, democratic engagement, and social justice.
With his passing, Kerala bids farewell to a leader who straddled the worlds of politics and culture with equal grace. His legacy, rooted in activism, empathy, and eloquence, will long be remembered by the people of Thrissur and beyond.