Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 18 (IANS): Veteran CPI leader Veliyam Bhargavan passed away at a hospital here, said party officials. He was 85, and is survived by his wife and daughter.
The Kerala government will give him a state funeral here Thursday.
Bhargavan was a member of the first and second Kerala assemblies and one of the pillars of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in the state.
He was the state secretary of the CPI from 1998 to 2010. In 2010, he retired owing to poor health.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy paid glowing tributes to Bhargavan, saying he was fortunate to work with him when the Congress and the CPI were on the same political wavelength from 1970 to 1982.
"He worked for the common man and for his party," said Chandy.