Thomas served four times as MLA and and represented Idukki in Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014. Thomas was undergoing medical treatment at Christian Medical College, Velloor where he died.
The Newster
Senior Congress leader PT Thomas passed away at a hospital in Velloor at the age of 71. He was representing Thrikkakara in Kerala State Assembly.
He served four times as MLA and and represented Idukki in Lok Sabha from 2009 to 2014. Thomas was undergoing medical treatment at Christian Medical College, Velloor where he died. Thomas was serving as working president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
Thomas was known for environment conservationist. Thomas was on the radar of various churches and other corners in the state for supporting the Madhav Gadgil committee report on Western Ghats.
PT Thomas was born in 1950 and started his political career as a member of Kerala Student Union (KSU), the student wing of Kerala Congress. He chaired several positions in his long political career including state president of KSU and Youth Congress.
Ex Congress president and MP Rahul Gandhi also expressed deep anguish over the demise of Congress leader. Gandhi in a tweet said, “I’m saddened to know of the demise of Shri PT Thomas. Along with his various contributions to the Congress party and the state of Kerala, he will be remembered for being a vibrant, helpful person. My condolences to his family and friends.”
While addressing the media, Rahul Gandhi furthered his condolence and called off his Wayanad visit planned for 23 Dec. Gandhi said, “A superb Congress leader who grew from the student’s movement, a forward-looking & open-minded leader who was concerned about the environment, Shri PT Thomas was a huge asset for us. It is a tragedy & we are very sad of losing him.”
Read More: Jharkhand Assembly Passes Anti-Lynching Law; Punishment & Definition, All You Need To Know
Shashi Tharoor, senior Congress leader and MP from Thiruvananthapuram, also expressed his feelings over the demise of the four times congress MLA. He said, “Mourning my former Parliament colleague & current Kerala MLA, PT Thomas, who passed away in Vellore. A tireless campaigner for social &economic justice, a man of decency &principle, he will be much missed. A great loss for @INCKerala which he served as Working President.”
He further said in a separate tweet, “From the election campaign earlier this year. I was proud to campaign for PT Thomas & delighted by his victory & subsequent appointment as Working President. Little did we know then that Fate had other plans for him.”
In 1991, Thomas was first elected to the Kerala State assembly for the first time from the Thodupuzha constituency and won the same seat again in 2001.
In 2009 Loksabha elections, Thomas won Idukki seat and was again in 2016 and 2021 elected as member of state assembly from Thrikkakara.
About Author
