𝗔𝗜𝗞𝗦 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗞𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘆𝗲𝗿𝗶 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗮𝗻

Comrade Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Polit Bureau member of CPI(M), former State Secretary of Kerala Karshaka Sangham, and former Central Kisan Committee member of AIKS, has passed away after battling a prolonged illness. AIKS conveys its heartfelt condolences to his family and fellow comrades.

Comrade Kodiyeri, who hails from Kannur district of Kerala, was politically active from his student days. During the Emergency he was imprisoned for 16 months under MISA between 1975 and 1977. At the time, he was the State Secretary of SFI and its All India Joint Secretary. After his release from jail, he led the DYFI in Kannur district as its Secretary and went on to be its State and Central leader.

Comrade Kodiyeri was elected to the Kerala Assembly four times and served as the Home and Tourism Minister in the LDF government from 2006-11. Comrade Kodiyeri was closely associated with the Kisan movement, as State Secretary of Kerala Karshaka Sangham and as a CKC member. His role in building resistance to the communal forces will be remembered.

In his passing, the country’s Left and Kisan movement has lost a fighter for the rights of the poor and downtrodden. His absence will be deeply felt. All India Kisan Sabha extends its final Red Salute to Comrade Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.