Senior Kerala Congress leader C F Thomas no more

Kottayam: Senior Kerala Congress leader and Changanassery MLA C F Thomas, who had been undergoing treatment for some aliments, died at a private hospital in Thiruvalla on Sunday, say party sources. He was 81.

Thomas had been representing Changanassery constituency in the Assembly since 1980. He was also the Minister for Rural Development, Registration, Khadi and Village Industries in the Congress-led UDF government during its 2001-2006 tenure.

Thomas, a close confidante of late Kerala Congress (M) leader K M Mani, associated with the P J Joseph faction in the Kerala Congress (M) following the rift in the party.

Commencing his political activities in 1956 as a KSU activist, Thomas joined the Indian National Congress and then became Vice-President of Changanassery Town (West) Mandalam. He joined Kerala Congress on its formation in 1964 and rose in the party ranks.

With inputs from PTI