Bed-ridden Chacko took oath in hospital

Kozhikode, Oct 13 (UNI) Firebrand Communist leader Mathai Chacko, MLA, who died of leukaemia in Kochi early today, had the distinction of taking oath as legislator in his hospital bed as his condition deteriorated due to the dreaded disease.

The oath was administered by Kerala Assembly Speaker K Radhakrishan at the Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi, to enable him to become a legislator officially.

Veteran of many struggles, Chacko, who defeated his nearest Indian Union Muslim League rival in the United Democratic Front stronghold at Thiruvambadi by 6,000 votes was unable to visit the constituency after the poll as he was frequenting the hospitals after collapsing on the polling day on April 29.

He was diagonised of leukaemia at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and it was reconfirmed by laboratory tests at a Thiruvanathapurm Hospital.

He was later admitted to the Lakeshore hospital for chemotherapy.

Although he took office as a legislator in the hospital he was unable to attend the Assembly during the current session following illness.

An able organiser and orator, Chacko was in the forefront in the fight for the cause of students and downtrodden sections of the society.

He also proved his mettle as an able parliamentarian by taking up burning issues of the common man during his tenure from 2001 to 2006, when he represented Meppayur seat.

UNI PCH ROY SK DS1547