Senior Congress leader and former Meghalaya Governor MM Jacob passed away at a private hospital near Kottayam in Kerala on Sunday, the family said.
Jacob was 92 years old. He had been suffering from age related illnesses, according to the family.
He remained active in politics by participating in party meetings, and had settled in Pala, where his last rites would be held on Monday. His funeral will be held at St Augustine's Forane Church at 2 pm on Monday, according to reports.
Jacob hails from Ramapuram, on the outskirts of Pala.
Born on August 9, 1928, he was the son of Mundackal Ulahannan Mathew and Rosamma. He was drawn to the freedom struggle while studying in University college in Thiruvananthapuram.
Jacob served as the Governor of Meghalaya from 1995 to 2007. He also served as the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha for two terms – starting 1982 and 1986 respectively.
He was also the Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Water Resources, and Home Affairs, in the cabinets of former Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao.
The Kerala unit of the Congress party has cancelled all official programmes for Sunday and Monday.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the senior Congressman’s death. In a Facebook post, the Communist leader wrote that Jacob had been a just politician and a great parliamentarian.
“He has been able to make his mark in every role that he adorned. I share the grief of his death with his family,” CM Pinarayi Vijayan wrote.
Former Kerala CM and senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy too, took to Facebook to condole Jacob’s demise.
(With inputs from IANS)