Kochi, Feb 27 – Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and former Kerala legislator P Raju passed away at a private hospital in Kochi on Thursday. He was 73 and had been unwell for some time, according to party sources.
Raju, a prominent figure in Kerala politics, was a long-serving member of the CPI state council and held the position of Ernakulam district secretary for several years. Born on July 18, 1951, he was the son of former MLA N Sivan Pillai and C Chellamma.
His political career saw him serve as the MLA for North Paravur constituency from 1991 to 1996. He also held key roles, including Chairman of the Kerala Assembly Committee on Estimates (1998-2001), president of the AIYF Ernakulam district committee, a member of the CUSAT Senate, and vice president of the AITUC Kerala State Council.
Raju’s mortal remains are currently kept at the hospital, with funeral arrangements to be announced later. He is survived by his wife, B Lathika Kumari, and their daughter.
