Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan and ministers on Sunday paid tributes to veteran Congress leader K Karunakaran on his 108th birth anniversary. Karunakaran was born on July 5, 1918 and died on December 23, 2010.

Karunakaran served as Kerala chief minister four times and was widely regarded as one of the state's most influential Congress leaders.

In a Facebook post, Satheesan described Karunakaran as an extraordinary leader who possessed the rare ability to face any crisis with remarkable skill and composure.

"He was a leader who deeply respected and loved the party and its workers. There may never have been another leader in history who showed such regard and affection for the party and its cadre," the CM said.

He said Karunakaran combined firmness in his convictions with gentleness in his dealings and maintained friendships across political boundaries.

"Not just his followers, but even his political opponents called him 'Leader'. There can never have been another political Chanakya like Karunakaran. Even today, whenever crises arise, we look to the Leader. The path to overcome them can always be found there," he said.

KPCC president and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph also paid tribute by sharing a photograph of Karunakaran on Facebook.

Senior Congress leader VM Sudheeran said Karunakaran, popularly known as 'Leader', played a pivotal role in Kerala's development and remained one of the state's greatest political figures.

"When you analyse Kerala's political history, he stands among the greatest leaders the state has ever seen. He will always be remembered," Sudheeran told reporters in Thrissur.

Higher Education Minister Roji M John said Kerala had produced many capable political leaders, but there had been only one leader - Karunakaran.

He said Karunakaran was not just the leader of Congress workers but a leader admired by all. Recalling his four terms as chief minister, Roji said Karunakaran's development vision was unparalleled.

According to the minister, only Karunakaran could have envisioned and implemented the public-private partnership model for establishing the airport at Nedumbassery.

He also recalled that the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit at Kalady was established during Karunakaran's tenure as chief minister.

Roji said Karunakaran would always remain synonymous with development-oriented politics in Kerala and that his legacy would continue to inspire future generations.

State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said Karunakaran continued to guide him through the political lessons he had imparted, the affection he had shown over decades and the enduring influence of his personality.

Recalling the years he spent with the former chief minister, Chennithala said Karunakaran remained a guiding force in many of his decisions even after his passing.

Paying tribute to Karunakaran, he said he was offering his respects to his beloved 'leader' with admiration beyond words.

Excise Minister M Liju said Karunakaran was the only political leader who proved that leadership itself was an art.

He said Karunakaran earned the title of 'Leader' through his decisiveness and extraordinary determination in implementing decisions. Over a political career spanning seven decades, he rewrote Kerala's political landscape, Liju said.

Describing Karunakaran as a statesman who laid the foundation for Kerala's development aspirations, a skilled strategist and a leader who stood by his colleagues, Liju said few leaders had left such a lasting mark on the state's political history.

He also said Karunakaran had overcome repeated political attacks with his characteristic smile and earned the rare distinction of being called 'Leader' even by his political opponents.

Labour Minister Bindhu Krishna said Karunakaran remained a source of inspiration and guidance throughout her political life.

She said she offered her respectful homage to the memory of her beloved leader Karunakaran. PTI