V. Viswanatha Menon, a former Finance Minister of Kerala, who passed away here on Friday morning, was cremated later in the day.
Mr. Menon, popularly known as Ambadi Viswom, was undergoing medical treatment for quite some time. The cremation was held at the Ravipuram crematorium. A commemorative meeting was also held after that.
He had served as Finance Minister in the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front government led by E.K. Nayanar in 1987.
Twice as MP
He was elected to the State Assembly from the Tripunithura Assembly constituency. Mr. Menon, a former member of the State committee of the CPI(M), had served as Member of Parliament twice. Mr. Menon was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1967 and was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1974 to 1980.
He entered politics during his student days at the age of 13. As a student, he fought against the British rule. He was suspended from Sri Rama Varma High School after he earned the wrath of authorities,.
In 1947, he was expelled from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, for protesting against the call to hoist Kochi royal flag along with the Indian flag.
Jail term
Mr. Menon served a three-year jail term for various political reasons, including the Edappally police station attack case in 1950.
He went underground for more than two years after the police station attack had left two policemen dead, triggering brutal police action across central Kerala.
The police station was attacked by a group of young Communists in protest against the police action against communists following the ban imposed on its activities in the country.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan were among those who condoled the death of Mr. Menon. People from various walks of life paid homage to the departed leader.
With inputs from agencies
