CPI(M) MLA Chacko is dead at 47

Kochi, Oct 13: CPI(M) MLA Mathai Chacko, who was suffering from blood cancer, died here this morning.

He was 47.

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Mr Chacko was undergoing treatment at the Lakeshore Hospital here since May. His swearing-in as a member of the Legislative Assembly had also taken place in the hospital in May.

Hospital sources said that he died at 0715 hrs. Mr Chacko, who was undergoing chemotherapy, was admitted to the hospital on September one after his condition deteriorated. He was on ventilator support for the past few weeks.

CPI (M) sources said that the funeral will take place at Mr Chacko's native place, Thiruvambadi, in Kozhikode district tomorrow.

Mr Chacko was representing Thiruvambadi in the Assembly.

Born on May 12, 1959 at Thiruvampady, he entered politics as a student leader.

He was an active worker of the Students Federation of India and Democratic Youth Federation of India. As a leader of the SFI and DYFI, he had led many agitations including the one against privatisation of polytechnics and parallel college students fare concession struggle.

He also participated in the Ambayathode surplus land agitation.

He was also a member of the CPI(M) Kozhikode district secretariat and the Party State Committee.

UNI