Kerala assembly pays rich tributes to Karunakaran

Kerala assembly today paid rich tributes to four time state chief minister and senior most congress leader K Karunakaran who died here on December 23.

In his reference, state chief minister VS Achuthanandan said Karunakaran was a leader who was admiered by all people irrespective of political affiliations.

His cotribution to the development of the state and also a a trade union activists, parlimentaria and an administrator would be remember for ever, Achuthanandan said.

State home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said Karunakaran's practical approach towards development cotributed for the growth of the state.

Opposition leader Oommen Chanday said one of the major cotriution of Karunakran was that he made Kerala a naxal free state during his tenure as Home Minister in 1970s.

Karunakaran rescued Kerala from the threat of naxalism, Chandy said. By taking police and people into confidence, Karunakaran initiated stern legal action against naxalites which was gaining roots at that time in Kerala, he said.

His role as an able administrator and in taking bold decisions for the development of the state would be remembered for ever, Chandy said.

Speaker K Radhakrishnan and other party leaders of both ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Congress headed opposition UDF also spoke on the occasion and paid tributes to Karunakaran.

The assembly was adjourned for day as a mark of respact to Karunakaran.