Kochi: KJ Jacob, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and a member of the Ernakulam district committee, passed away on Monday at the age of 77. Jacob died at a private hospital after battling old-age ailments.

Jacob served as the former chairman of the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation Ltd. He was also the Ernakulam area secretary, a member of the party's district secretariat, CITU district president, and the Opposition leader in the Kochi Corporation.

A public homage will be held at the district committee office on Monday at 4 p.m. Following this, his body will be taken to his residence on Kaloor Azad Road. The funeral will be held on Tuesday at 3 pm at the Kaloor Kathrikadavu Cemetery.