Kerala congress leader Skariah Thomas passes away

KOCHI: Skariah Thomas (65), chairman of Kerala Congress (Skaria Thomas) passed away Thursday afternoon. He died over post Covid complications. After confirming of the virus, he was admitted at Pala Medicity and then after recovering was admitted at Kochi Aster Medicity for respiratory ailments.

He was elected twice to the Lok Sabha from Kottayam in 1977 and 1980. He was later defeated by Suresh Kurup of the CPM in 1984. He was the chairman of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises Ltd under the state Industries department.He had served as the general secretary of Avibhakth Kerala Congress and vice chairman posts. Skariah who had worked with senior Kerala Congress leaders like K M Mani, P J Joseph and P C Thomas later formed his own party in 2015.

He was born to K T Skariah and Achamma. He leaves behind his wife Lalitha and children Nirmala, Anitha, Skariah and Latha.

Condoling the demise of Thomas, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said as a member of Lok Sabha he could raise the voice of Kerala in Parliament.