CHANGANASSERY: Former minister and three-time Changanassery MLA KJ Chacko (91) passed away on Monday due to an age-related illness. The funeral service will be held at 3.30 pm tomorrow at St. Mary's Metropolitan Church, Changanassery.

He was the early leader of the Kerala Congress. While a lawyer at Changanassery Bar, he became a councillor in 1962 and a municipal chairman in 1964. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Changanassery in 1965, 1970 and 1977. In the 1979 CH Mohammed Koya cabinet, he was in charge of the Departments of Revenue, Excise, Transport and Co-operation. He also served as the chairman of Milma.