Veteran Congress leader and former minister C V Padmarajan passes away

KOLLAM: Senior Congress Leader C. V. Padmarajan passed away on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kollam due to age-related ailments. He was 93. Padmarajan had served as the KPCC president from 1983 to 1987 and was a minister in both Karunakaran and A.K. Antony's cabinets.

Padmarajan had handled important portfolios like electricity and finance, and also fisheries, coir development, and social welfare. Soon into his sunset years of politics, Padmarajan resigned from his position as a minister and assumed the post of KPCC president.

He had contested for the Legislative Assembly six times and won twice from Chathannur. He won in 1982 and 1991.

Trivia: Padmarajan was the caretaker Chief Minister of Kerala when the then Chief Minister K Karunakaran had to leave for abroad citing medical emergencies.