For many, Veliyam Bhargavan aka ‘Asan’ was the definitive old-school communist leader - perceptive, strong-willed and outspoken. When the news broke on Wednesday afternoon that the man who was at the helm of CPI affairs for decades had passed away, hundreds poured to the T’Puram Medical College to have a last glimpse. Within minutes, party workers and general public flooded the hospital campus.
CM Oommen Chandy rushed to the hospital after CPI leader C Divakaran informed him that Bhargavan’s condition had turned critical. By 2.30 p.m., the mortal remains were taken to Vrindavan Colony, Pattom, where Bhargavan had been leading a retired life after stepping down as party secretary in 2010. Party workers and political leaders soon started arriving to pay homage to Bhargavan who began his political life through the AISF during his student days at the SN College, Kollam.
By 3.30 p.m., Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, today the lone remaining member of the group which walked out in 1964 and formed the CPM, paid his homage to his one-time party colleague. CPI state secretary Pannian Raveendran, who was in Ernakulam, rushed to the state capital on hearing the news of Bhargavan’s death. He draped the party flag over the mortal remains of the leader. CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and former general secretary A B Bardhan called party leaders and family members to convey their condolences. CPI national secretary D Raja will arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. MoS for Civil Aviation K C Venugopal, Deputy Speaker N Shakthan, Ministers Aryadan Mohammed, K M Mani, A P Anil Kumar and V S Sivakumar, Mayor K Chandrika, K Muraleedharan MLA and senior CPI leaders were among those who reached Bhargavan’s residence.