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Veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Thennala G Balakrishna Pillai passed away on Friday, June 6, at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 95 and had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments.
His mortal remains will be taken to his residence in Mukkola, Nettayam, where the public and party workers can pay their last respects to the leader who devoted over six decades of his life to public service.
Known for his soft-spoken nature and steadfast loyalty to the Congress, Thennala rose through the ranks from ward president to KPCC chief, remaining above factionalism throughout his career and earning respect within the party and across political lines.
"With the demise of Shri Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, we have lost a highly respected and dignified political leader," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a condolence message. He described Thennala as “a personality who rose to prominence over several decades in Kerala's political landscape.”
“He carried the vast experience of serving in roles from ward president to KPCC president with both word and deed. His political life was guided by the principle that power and the lack of it should be treated equally. He was a leader accepted by all sides during intra-party conflicts. What made him deserving of that distinction was his unbiased and objective stance on issues,” the Chief Minister noted.
Pinarayi also recalled Thennala’s contributions as a legislator in both the State Assembly and the Rajya Sabha: “He approached every subject with depth and diligence. As a cooperative leader, his contributions to strengthening Kerala’s cooperative sector were significant. He upheld public interest above personal ambition, leaving behind a unique political legacy marked by calmness, purity, and integrity.”
Despite his contributions, Thennala had reportedly faced injustices from the Congress party. One of the most notable instances was in May 2001, the day the United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a historic win with 101 seats, paving the way for AK Antony to become Chief Minister. While the victory owed much to Thennala’s groundwork as KPCC president, he was asked to step down the same day to make way for K Muraleedharan — a move that shocked many.
Thennala, however, made no public protest, choosing to simply submit his resignation and returning home.
This quiet dignity marked every chapter of his public life. Whether as a parliamentarian, a steady hand during party crises, or as one of the significant contributors to Kerala’s cooperative sector, Thennala’s integrity remained untouched.