Mavelikkara: Former Mavelikkara MLA and Congress leader M Murali (73) passed away on Thursday morning. He died at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was serving as the State Chairman of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Committee.

Murali was son of late KP Madhavan Pillai and VK Rajamma of Cherukol Vaippu Vila, Mavelikkara. He entered public life in 1969 as a member of the Kerala Students Union (KSU). He later served as General Secretary of the KPCC, State Vice President of KSU, State General Secretary of the Youth Congress, and a member of the National Council.

In 1987, he was the coordinator of the Non-Aligned Nations Youth Conference held in Delhi. He was also the first Senate member of Mahatma Gandhi University and held leadership positions in institutions such as the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE), KSRTC, and the Kerala Youth Welfare Board.

Murali represented Mavelikkara in the Legislative Assembly in 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006. His wife is Prof KS Ramadevi, a lecturer at Devaswom Board College. He is survived by children Dr. Mithun, Mridul, and Mrinal.