Three-time Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader A.C. Shanmughadas died of cardiac arrest at the Government Medical College Hospital here on Thursday night. He was 74. Despite deteriorating health, Mr. Shanmughadas was active in party affairs. He had participated in a programme organised by the NCP to commemorate freedom fighter C.K. Govindan Nair in the city on Thursday evening.
Mr. Shanmughadas, who returned home after the programme was admitted to the hospital in the evening as his health worsened suddenly. His died around 9.20 p.m., hospital sources said.
Mr. Shanmughadas started his political life with the Congress. When the Congress split, he left the party along with A.K. Antony and got associated with socialist groups. Though Mr. Antony returned to the Congress, he remained with the CPI(M)-led Left front. He was elected to the fourth Kerala Legislative Assembly from Balussery. He was elected consecutively from the same constituency from the sixth to the 11 Assembly, contesting as Congress, Congress (S), and NCP candidate.
The cremation will held at the public crematorium at Mavoor Road in the city at 5 p.m. He is survived by wife K. Parukutty and two daughters. –
