Senior Congress leader K Sankaranarayanan dies at 89

Veteran Congress leader K Sankaranarayanan, who served as the governor of several Indian states during his political career, died at the age of 89 on Sunday at his residence in Palakkad, Kerala. 

He was undergoing medical treatment for multiple illnesses for the past one-and-a-half year. During his decades-long career, he served as the governor of Jharkhand, Nagaland and Maharashtra and also held additional governor charges of Goa, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.  

Before being appointed as the governor, Sankaranarayanan was a minister for several governments in the state of Kerala. As a legislator, he held excise, finance and agriculture portfolios. 

His corpse will be kept at his residence and the Congress party office for friends and family to pay homage. His cremation will likely take place on Monday at 5.30 pm. 

Several political figures expressed their condolences on social media. 

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“My heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Shri K Sankaranarayanan, former Governor of Maharashtra, Jharkhand & Nagaland… Sankaranarayanan’s career as leader, minister & Governor was marked by rich administrative experience and firm social commitment. His demise is a loss to Kerala & the nation. May his soul attain Mukti,” Governor Arif Mohammed Khan wrote on Twitter. 

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“He upheld the Nehruvian perspective, including secularism while addressing public issues without the accompaniment of hatred or any other sectarian considerations. He held the position of UDF convenor for a long time and always took a positive outlook towards the issues faced by the people and the developmental aspects of the state,” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Twitter. 

Kerala Assembly Speaker M B Rajesh stated that Sankaranarayanan’s death comes as a big loss to the state. 

“The demise of Sankaranarayan is a great loss to the Congress party. He was like a mentor to me. He led the UDF for 16 years. Even during severe political crisis, Sankaranarayanan, faced everything with ease and in an exemplary manner,” Satheesan said on Twitter.

Sankaranarayan is survived by his daughter, Anupama. His wife, Prof K Radha, passed away earlier.