Thiruvananthapuram: Hundreds paid homage to CPI leader Kanam Rajendran as the hearse carrying his mortal remains began its journey from the party's state office PS memorial to his hometown in Vazhoor, Kottayam. The 73-year-old politician breathed his last at a private hospital in Kochi following a cardiac arrest.
In Thiruvananthapuram, his body was kept for public homage at PS Smarakam, the CPI headquarters in Pattom. Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, CPI leaders Prkash Babu, Pannyan Ravindran, P Santosh Kumar MP, PP Suneer, Binoy Viswom, KE Ismail, KP Rajendran, Ministers K Rajan, GR Anil, Chinchurani, P Prasad and Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar paid tribute to the late leader.
The funeral procession through MC road will pass through Chadayamangalam in Kollam, Adoor, Chengannur and Changanasserry. In Kottayam, public homage will be held at CPI district committee office at 9 pm. The hearse will reach his home in Vazhoor by 11pm. The last rites will be performed at his residence in Kanam on Sunday at 11 am.
The mortal remains of veteran leader arrived in Thiruvananthapuram from Kochi on Saturday morning. According to reports, his body was taken to the airport in a mourning procession. The helicopter carrying his mortal remains took off from Cochin International Airport at 9.30 am.
His son Sandeep, grandson and minister P Prasad took the CPI leader's body to the state capital. Minister K Rajan, MP Binoy Viswam and several CPI leaders reached Kochi airport to bid adieu to Kanam. In the airport, the CPI activists were seen raising slogans to pay last respects to their leader.
