Former Kerala chief minister Karunakaran dead, cremation Saturday (Second Lead)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran, who was four times chief minister of Kerala, died in a hospital here Thursday, doctors said. He was 92.

His cremation will be held at his home town in Thrissur Saturday morning, president of Congress’ state unit Ramesh Chennithala told reporters outside the hospital where Karunakaran was admitted since Dec 10.

“The body would be taken to his home here and tomorrow morning the body would be first taken to our party office. From there it would be kept at the Durbar Hall at the State Secretariat and in the afternoon. It would be taken through the national highway to Thrissur. The cremation would take place at the same place where his wife has been laid to rest,” a tearful Chennithala said.

The 92-year-old veteran leader’s condition deteriorated last week and he was put on the ventilator.

He recovered a few days later and was removed from the ventilator, but his condition worsened Wednesday morning and he suffered a stroke. He breathed his last at 5.30 p.m. Thursday.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, hearing the demise of his long time political adversary, arrived at the hospital to pay his last respects.