CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said that late RSP leader Pankajakshan had always retained the working-class culture all throughout his life despite having served several years as legislator and Minister.
Paying tribute to the illustrious leader of the Left politics at a commemorative meeting held under the aegis of the RSP state committee here on Tuesday, he said that youths should found a model in Pankajakshan.
“To him, the entire life was a continuous struggle for the betterment of the downtrodden and working-class people. He had played a great role in the formation of Kerala. He fought against Sir CP for a free Travancore and for responsible rules.
His role in organising the meeting at Petta as part of the fight against Sir CP is part of history now. A few days later K C S Mani had attacked Sir CP. In both issues, Pankajakshan had played a direct and indirect roles,” he recollected.
In the post-independent period also, he continued his political activities with same valour and sense of justice, Pinarayi remembered.
He noted that at no stage, power or ministership had been an intoxicant to him as he had truly imbibed the working class culture.
In a message sent to be delivered at the meeting, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat said that Pankajakshan was a dedicated leader of the working class in the country. S Sudhakar Reddy, the CPI general secretary, said in a condolence message that the departed leader had played a memorable role in building the LDF in Kerala.
Senior congress leader V M Sudheeran said that Pankajakshan would be remembered as a fearless leader and administrator.
His functioning in the Assembly as a legislator, Govt Chief Whip, Opposition Chief Whip and Minister had always been memorable.
RSP national general secretary T J Chandrachoodan presided over the function. Socialist leader P Viswambharan, RSP state secretary A A Aziz, N K Premachandran, Mayor K Chandrika, former chief secretary C P Nair, N A Karim, Ninan Kosy, Pramachandran Nair and others spoke.