Veteran Congress Leader C.V. Padmarajan Passes Away at 94
Veteran Congress leader C.V. Padmarajan, aged 94, has passed away at a private hospital in Kollam. A former President of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), a two-time MLA from Chathannoor, and a former minister, Padmarajan’s demise marks the end of an era in Kerala politics.
Known as ‘Padmarajan Vakkeel’ (Advocate Padmarajan) in Kollam, he hailed from Paravoor. He became a part of Kollam city after beginning his practice as an advocate.
Padmarajan first entered the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Chathannoor in 1982. In his very first term, he was appointed a minister in the cabinet. He later resigned from his ministerial post to take on the role of KPCC President in 1983. It was during his tenure as KPCC chief that the party’s headquarters building in Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram, was acquired.
Throughout his distinguished career, C.V. Padmarajan held portfolios including Social Welfare, Fisheries, Electricity, Coir, Finance, and Devaswom. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first Finance Minister in Kerala to present a surplus budget. When K. Karunakaran, then Chief Minister, took a leave of absence for medical treatment, Padmarajan was also entrusted with the responsibilities of the Chief Minister. He also served as the Vice Chairman of the Kerala State Planning Board.
He is survived by his wife, Vasanthakumari, and children, Saji and Ani.