CPI(M) State unit secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has said that M.V. Raghavan was a heroic chapter of a period in the history of communist movement in Kerala.
Mr. Vijayan in a condolence message here on Sunday said that Mr. Raghavan’s contributions in protecting the communist movement at times it faced State terror, including ban on the party during the Emergency, would be remembered for ever. He had demonstrated leadership qualities holding various positions in the party.
Mr. Raghavan had taken an anti-communist stand when he moved to the opposite camp in politics. However, he had reviewed his stand later. His end had come at such a time.
Able organiser: VSLeader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan said that Mr. Raghavan was an able organiser who played a crucial role in building the CPI(M). Though he had joined the UDF after being expelled from the CPI(M), he had started to dislike UDF politics and the CMP led by him had come forward to cooperate with the CPI(M) and the Left movement.
CPI State unit secretary Pannian Ravindran said the demise of Mr. Raghavan was a great loss to the Left movement.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy remembered that Mr. Raghavan was a towering figure in the cooperative sector. He had played an important role in strengthening the UDF.
Describing the death of Mr. Raghavan as a great loss, Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed said Mr. Raghavan was an able administrator and organiser who upheld democratic values and secularism.
BJP State president V. Muraleedharan said Mr. Raghavan was the first CPI(M) leader who was ousted from the party and survived its policy of eliminating opponents.
Brave leader: KPCCKPCC president V.M. Sudheeran said that Mr. Raghavan was a brave leader who was prepared to meet any challenge.
Speaker G. Karthikeyan, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Finance Minister K.M. Mani, Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, RSP State unit secretary A.A. Azeez, NCP State unit president Uzhavoor Vijayan, and Ministers Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, P.J. Joseph, K.C. Joseph, A.P. Anil Kumar, Shibu Baby John, M.K. Muneer, and V.S. Sivakumar were among those who expressed condolences over the death of Mr. Raghavan.
