Kottarakara: One of the founders of Kerala Congress (B) and former Minister R Balakrishna Pillai passed away at the age of 87. He had been under the treatment after developing a breathing double at a private hospital in Kottarakara where he breathed his last.
He adorned several political garbs in his career that spans over 4 decades. Pillai first became MLA at the age of 25 in 1960 from Pathanapuram, a neighbouring constituency of Kottarakkara.
Pillai had held various portfolios such as Transport and Power as a Minister. After a defeat in 2006 by CPM's Aisha Potty, he had not contested elections. His son, KB Ganesh Kumar is a movie actor-turned-politician.
He played an important part in forming the UDF alliance in Kerala and served as minister of transport, excise and power in various ministers.