Minister for Food and Civil Supplies T.M. Jacob passed away at a private hospital here late on Sunday night. Sources at Lakeshore Hospital said the end came following liver failure at 10.30 p.m. Mr. Jacob, who was admitted to the hospital on October 17, was in the cardiac intensive care unit when the end came. His wife, son, and sister were there at his bedside.
The body will be kept at Ernakulam Town Hall from Monday morning for the public to pay their last respects, according to preliminary reports.
It will be taken to Piravom, his hometown, by afternoon, where he will be laid to rest on Tuesday.
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Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is expected to reach Kochi on Monday morning.
Mourning
Special Correspondent writes from Thiruvananthapuram: A three-day mourning will commence on Monday in the State.
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A special Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here late on Sunday night declared a holiday in the State on Tuesday. A local holiday was declared in Ernakulam district on Monday. The funeral of Mr. Jacob will be held at 10 a.m. at the Kakoor St. Marys Jacobite Church on Tuesday.
In his message, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said that Mr. Jacob was a good friend and an efficient leader even from his student politics days.
Minister K.M. Mani said that he lost an younger brother. KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said that the State had lost an eminent parliamentarian.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said the decisions taken by Jacob when he was Education Minister during the UDF regime would be remembered by the State.
Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said the State had lost an able administrator and eminent parliamentarian.