Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and a host of senior Congress leaders have paid their tributes to veteran Congress leader PT Thomas, who died aged 71 here on Wednesday.
"We don't know how to describe PT. He was a leader who held a fire within," remembered VD Satheesan, Kerala's Leader of Opposition.
Satheesan, who has been involved in the cremation arrangements of his senior colleague noted Thomas was "fearless and firebrand".
"Neither within Congress nor outside the party can we find such a leader. He was the strength, voice and energy of the party. Even while unleashing a barrage of sharp words, he never crossed the limits."
Satheesan's predecessor, Ramesh Chennithala has said the passing of PT is a personal loss. "I will miss a great friend in PT Thomas," Chennithala said.
"A straight-forward Congressman who always stood for what's right without thinking about the consequences. Recently I met him in hospital and I was hopeful of his come back. Rest in peace PT."
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remembers PT as a notable parliamentarian. "He upheld his political ideologies within the assembly and outside it," Vijayan said.
Congress strongman K Sudhakaran said he stood frozen for a moment upon hearing the news of PT's passing. "It is hard to imagine that the progressive face of Congress is no longer here. From being the KSU state president, he came through the ranks and flourished by virtue of his personality," Sudhakaran penned.
"He was a warrior of the truth, who never hesitated to speak even bitter truth. Even in his 70s, he spread youthful energy in the cadre. PT, who loved humans and nature unconditionally is irreplaceable."
Shashi Tharoor, who shared the floor of the Parliament with PT hailed him as a man of "decency and principle". "A tireless campaigner for social and economic justice," Tharoor said.
