KASARGOD: Congress leader and former Uduma MLA K P Kunhikannan (75) passed away. He was undergoing treatment after an accident. He was former general secretary of KPCC. Kunhikannan's vehicle met with an accident in Kannur on September 7. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kannur with severe rib injuries. He was on ventilator after his health condition worsened the other day. He died early Thursday morning.

Kunhikannan was the face of Congress in northern Kerala. When K Karunakaran formed DIC, Kunhikannan was also with him.

Kunhikannan was born in Kaithapram on September 9, 1949 to Sanskrit scholar Kunhambu Poduval and Kunjanga Amma. He was brought to the Congress by leader K Karunakaran.

In 1977, he became the state general secretary of the youth congress. In 1980, he contested to the Assembly from Thrikaripur constituency. In 1987, he reached the Assembly from Uduma Constituency.

He was Kasaragod DCC President and KPCC General Secretary. Contested in 2021 assembly election from Thrikaripur. National Khadi Workers Union (IATUC) President, was treasurer of K Karunakaran Memorial Committee and President of V N Eripuram Memorial Committee.

He leaves behind his wife K Susheela (retired headmistress, Karamel ALP School) and children KPK Thilakan (additional private secretary to opposition leader V D Satheesan) and KPK Thulasi. His daughter-in-law is advocate Veena S Nair and son-in-law Pradeesh. His siblings are late Kammara Poduval, Chinda Poduval and Narayana Poduval.