As per his wish, his last rites were performed this evening at the cremation ground at Ravipuram here.
During Thomas’ funeral, the famous Malayalam poet and lyricist Vayalar Ramavarma’s famous song – “Chandrakalabham Charathiurangam Thiram” – was played in a very low voice. Thomas’ son lit his pyre.
Thousands of people paid tribute to the Congress leader at various places in Idukki and Ernakulam districts, his body was brought by road from Vellore in Tamil Nadu. He died on 22 December while undergoing treatment for cancer in Vellore.
His body was brought here from Vellore via Idukki where hundreds of people gathered at different places to pay their last farewell to their leader. Idukki was Thomas’s stronghold.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached Kerala to visit his Lok Sabha constituency Wayanad. Rahul reached Kochi and paid tribute to the late party leader.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his cabinet colleagues P Rajeev and Roshai Augustine, Speaker of the Assembly MB Rajesh, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, Vayalar Ravi, KC Venugopal and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly VD Sathishan called Thomas. paid tribute.
Thomas was elected MLA for the second consecutive time from Trikkakara assembly seat. Earlier from 2009 to 2014, he had represented Idukki in the Lok Sabha.
He was elected twice from Thodupuzha assembly constituency in Idukki district. Thomas was the working president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
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