Former Kerala Minister and Kerala Congress leader TU Kuruvilla passes away at 89

KOCHI: Senior Kerala Congress leader, former Public Works Department (PWD) Minister, and Chevalier T.U. Kuruvilla passed away at a private hospital. He was 89.

According to hospital sources, Kuruvilla had been undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of Aster Medcity, Kochi, for age-related ailments and renal complications. His condition deteriorated sharply over the last few days after contracting pneumonia.
His demise marks the end of a multi-decade career that left a significant impact on Kerala’s political landscape and the administration of the Jacobite Syrian Church.

Born on September 13, 1936, in Oonnukal near Kothamangalam, Kuruvilla began his public life in local self-government institutions. He served as the president of the Keerampara Panchayat for an uninterrupted 14 years before steering the Kothamangalam Municipal Standing Committee as its chairman. Recognising his administrative acumen, the state later appointed him to head major public sector undertakings, including the Plantation Corporation of Kerala and the Kerala State Housing Board (KSHB).

Kuruvilla transitioned into state-level parliamentary politics in 2006, winning the Kothamangalam Assembly seat. He successfully defended the constituency in the 2011 elections.
In 2006, he was inducted as the PWD Minister in the CPI(M)-led V.S. Achuthanandan cabinet. However, his ministerial tenure was cut short in September 2007 when he resigned following political allegations surrounding a controversial land deal in Munnar. Kuruvilla was later vindicated when a comprehensive police investigation cleared him of all charges, ruling the allegations entirely baseless. At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Deputy Chairman of the Kerala Congress.

Beyond the political arena, Kuruvilla was a towering figure in spiritual and community circles. He served as the Lay Secretary of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and the Convenor of the Angamaly Diocese Trust for several years. In recognition of his distinguished service to society and the denomination, the supreme head of the Church conferred upon him the prestigious title of 'Chevalier'.

Leaders from across the political spectrum and various church denominations have expressed deep condolences, remembering Kuruvilla as a grassroots leader and a consensus builder who remained deeply connected to his constituency until the very end.