KOLLAM: N Vijayan Pillai, the Left ruling front legislator from Chavara, passed away in early on Sunday at a private hospital in Kochi. He died this morning at 3 am. He was under treatment for liver ailments for the past two months. The last rites would be held at his home in Sankaramangalam, Kollam on Monday.

The 65-year-old began his political career in the Revolutionary Socialist Party and was a close aide of Baby John.

After representing the local bodies for over two decades, he moved to the Congress party but after a few years, he left the Congress.

In the 2016 Assembly polls, Pillai got a seat under the banner of a faction of the Communist Marxist Party and defeated local legislator and son of John, Shibhu Baby John, by 6,189 votes.

Pillai is survived by his wife and three children.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala have condoled the death of the leader.