Sonia Gandhi, Chidambaram pay homage to former Kerala CM Karunakaran

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 24 (ANI): Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday paid their last respects to veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, who passed away at a private hospital after a prolonged illness here on Thursday.

Gandhi, accompanied by Chidambaram arrived at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Headquarters 'Indira Bhavan' here, where they placed wreaths on Karunakaran's body, who will be cremated with full state honours tomorrow.

Sonia Gandhi later consoled Karunakaran's son K Muraleedharan and daughter Padmaja Venugopal.

Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Vyalar Ravi and Minister of State for Home M. Ramachandran were also present to offer their last respects to the veteran Congress leader.

Karunakaran's body would later be kept at the Government Secretariat Durbar Hall before the funeral procession starts for Thrissur, where it would be cremated on Saturday.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and several other Congress leaders are expected to attend the funeral of Karunakaran, who was affectionately called 'Leader' by Congress activists. (ANI)