Thiruvananthapuram: Senior CPM leader and former Kerala Minister V J Thankappan passed away on Saturday near here, according to his family. He was 84.

Thankappan died following age-related issues at his home in the city suburbs, a family member said.

The four-time CPM MLA also served as the Minister for Local Administration in the E K Nayanar cabinet of 1987-91. He is survived by his wife and four children.

The Left leader had started off as a clerk in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation but soon quit to plunge into full-time politics.

He first won from the Nemom Assembly constituency in 1983 when he was elected in a byelection. Subsequently he completed a hat trick from the same seat.

In 2006, he won from the suburban Neyattinkara parliamentary constituency, here.

Thankappan was a hugely popular leader and one who rose in the party through the ranks.

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