Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, several state ministers, and leaders from various parties on Thursday condoled the demise of veteran CPM leader and former legislator Anathalavattom Anandan.

Vijayan said Anandan was a leader who dedicated his life to the working-class movement.

Recalling his long association with the departed leader, the chief minister said he was a strong organiser of the Communist movement in the state.

Whenever the Communist movement came under attack, Anandan actively intervened to convey the correct position of the party to the people and convinced them.

"The general society of Kerala as a whole and the Left movement and the trade union movement in particular have suffered a heavy loss due to the demise of Comrade," Vijayan said, paying tribute to Anandan. 
 

In his message, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said Anandan's contributions to public service and workers' causes will be long remembered.

Finance Minister K N Balagopal, and leaders of various political parties including the leader of Opposition in the state assembly, V D Satheesan, and BJP state chief K Surendran condoled the demise of Anandan.

PTI