Former Speaker and Minister T.S. John passed away at a private hospital at Cherthala on Thursday morning. The 76-year-old founder leader of the Kerala Congress had been reportedly ailing for some time.
Mr. John became a political activist during his student days at SB College, Changanassery. An advocate by profession, he represented the Kallooppara Assembly constituency four times. He was Speaker of the Assembly during 1976-77 and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies in the A.K. Antony-led Ministry in 1978. He became Minister in the succeeding Ministry led by P.K. Vasudevan Nair.
Born at Kaviyoor in Thiruvalla in 1939, Mr. John became part of the Kerala Congress led by P.J. Joseph when the party split. Later, he became chairman of the Kerala Congress (Secular) led by P.C. George. In the latest round of Assembly elections, he moved away from the party and supported the UDF.
