Kerala / Veteran Congress leader K. Sankaranarayanan passed away, served as governor of many states including Maharashtra

Veteran Congress leader and governor of several states, K. Sankaranarayanan died on Sunday at his Palakkad residence in Kerala. He was 89 years old and was battling several ailments.

Sankaranarayanan had been the governor of Nagaland and Jharkhand apart from Maharashtra. He also held the additional charge of the post of Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Goa. He was also a minister in the Government of Kerala. His last rites will be performed at 5.30 pm on Monday.

Several leaders, including Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition V D Satheen, condoled his death. Governor Khan said, "Sankaranarayanan's career as a leader, minister and governor was marked by administrative experience and steadfast social commitment. His death is a loss to the country and Kerala.' Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said in a condolence message that senior Congress leader K Sankaranarayanan upheld the Nehruvian and secular outlook. He was a people-oriented politician. As governor, minister and MLA, he took steps in the interest of the people and stood for development.

Was the convener of UDF for 16 years

Sankaranarayanan was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly at least four times. He handled agriculture, animal husbandry and dairy development, community development, as well as excise portfolios in the Congress-led government led by K Karunakaran and AK Antony. He was also the convener of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala for 16 years. Shankarnarayan's wife Radha has already passed away. His daughter Anupama is in the family.