Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly on Wednesday paid tribute to CPM MLA Kanathil Jameela, who passed away in November last year following a cancer-related illness.

Speaker A N Shamseer remembered Jameela as a strong advocate for women’s rights and the welfare of marginalised communities. He highlighted her contributions to social welfare projects in the health and education sectors, noting that her passing represents a significant loss for the people of Kerala.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan echoed the Speaker’s remarks, recalling Jameela’s rise through local self-government institutions and her active involvement in public issues. “She was part of various initiatives even when she was unwell,” Vijayan said.

UDF MLA K Babu, speaking on behalf of Opposition Leader V D Satheesan, described Jameela as an honest, hardworking, and sincere legislator who will be dearly missed in the Assembly following her untimely demise. Other leaders, including ministers Roshy Augustine, K B Ganesh Kumar, and IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, shared similar sentiments. The House observed a two-minute silence in her memory before adjourning proceedings for the day.

Before being elected MLA in 2021, representing the Koilandy constituency, Jameela served as president of the Kozhikode District Panchayat and had a long career in public service and party work.

Born in Kuttiyadi, Kozhikode, to T K Ali and T K Mariam, she was married to Abdul Rahman and is survived by a son and a daughter.

PTI