PM pays homage to Karunakaran in Thrissur

THRISSUR - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday paid homage to four-time Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran who died at the age of 92 two days ago.

Manmohan Singh arrived by a special flight at Kochi and took a helicopter ride till near here and then drove down to the city Town Hall where Karunakarans body was kept.

Arriving at the hall at 2.20 p.m, the prime minister paid his respects to Karunakaran with folded hands.

Wearing his trademark white kurta-pyjama and blue turban, he conveyed his condolences to Karunakaran’s family. He also expressed his condolences to state ministers and fellow cabinet colleagues present on the occasion.

The prime minister spent about 10 minutes at the hall and headed back to New Delhi soon after. Accompanying him from the national capital were union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and party general secretary Mohsina Kidwai.

Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai was also present when the prime minister paid homage to the departed Congress veteran.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) had overseen the security arrangements in and around Thrissur ahead of Manmohan Singh’s arrival.

After the prime minister left, Karunakarans body was moved to the district party office. The cremation will take place after 4 p.m.

Karunakaran’s condition deteriorated last week and he was put on ventilator. His condition improved in a few days but he suffered a stroke Wednesday. He died at 5.30 p.m. Thursday. He is survived by his politician son K. Muraleedharan and daughter Padmaja Venugopal.