THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Congress rebel candidate from Kottukalkonam ward in Balaramapuram panchayath died due to COVID-19 on Tuesday. The deceased has been identified as Francis, 60, of Panayarakkunnu Varuvila. He had been undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital for 15 days.

His death occurred at around 2.30 yesterday. He was Kottukalkonam Anil Kumar's rebel. Francis contracted the disease during the election campaign. Following this, he sought treatment at the medical college. He is survived by wife Usha, son Akhil and daughter Sonia.