Veteran Congress leader and former Governor of Maharashtra, Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Jharkhand K. Sankaranarayanan, 89, died here on April 24, 2022. His health had deteriorated in the past two years and he was under treatment.

In a condolence message by Shri Rahul Gandhi, he said, “Sad to hear about the demise of former Governor and veteran Congress leader, Shri K. Sankaranarayanan Ji.

His stellar contributions to the nation and to the Congress party shall be remembered for a long time to come. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

KPCC President Shri K. Sudhakaran, UDF convener Shri M.M. Hassan and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala expressed grief at the death of Mr. Sankaranarayanan.

Mr. Sankaranarayanan had held several key portfolios in the United Democratic Front (UDF) Cabinets headed by K. Karunakaran and A.K. Antony. He had been UDF convener for 16 years from 1985 to 2001. He held several party positions from the district to the national level. He was a member of the All-India Congress Committee as well as the Congress’ Parliamentary Board.

Mr. Sankaranarayanan started his political career through student politics in 1946. As a Congress member, he was elected to the fifth Kerala Legislative Assembly from Thrithala, the sixth Assembly from Sreekrishnapuram, the eighth Assembly from Ottapalam, and to the eleventh Assembly from Palakkad.

Although he handled such portfolios as agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development and community development briefly in 1977 under K. Karunakaran, Mr. Sankaranarayanan played a notable role as Finance Minister in A.K. Antony’s Cabinet from 2001 to 2004. He had also held the Excise portfolio during this period.

He had been leading a retired life at his home here since 2015. He is survived by daughter Anupama.