KAYAMKULAM: Senior Congress leader and former KPCC general secretary CR Jayaprakash(72) passed away in Kollam on Thursday. He was undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at a private hospital in Kollam. The funeral was held as per COVID protocol at his house premises on Thursday evening.

Jayaprakash contracted the disease while actively campaigning for the district Congress candidate in the local body elections. He tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov 20. He was admitted to a hospital in Kollam due to low oxygen level in his blood. Though he tested negative fro COVID-19, his condition worsened due to lung and internal organ damage.

Jayaprakash has served as Kayamkulam municipality chairman, Alappuzha DCC president and UDF district chairman. He was an AICC member. He is survived by wife Girija, son Dhanik and daughter Dhanya.