By Ashraf Padanna/Thiruvananthapuram
Former minister Lonappan Nambadan, whose cross vote in 1982 brought down the 90-day Congress-led government in Kerala, died in Kochi yesterday of renal failure. He was 78.
A two-time minister, six-time legislator and one-time MP, Nambadan is survived by his wife and three children. He will be buried at the St Antony’s church in his Perambra village near the port city today afternoon.
Leaders across the political spectrum remembered him as an outstanding legislator who led a humble life and mesmerised everyone by his sense of humor.
He also fought and succeeded in making Malayalam the language of the state for official communications and addressed the parliament in his mother tongue. In the assembly, he once tore away a bill in English language.
“I have criticised him many times for toppling chief minister K Karunakaran’s government, both in the house and outside. But he had different reasons for that and it was a principled stand,” said Speaker G Karthiketyan. “He faced adversities with a smile and he was a fine human being.”
Hundreds of mourners from all walks of life paid their last respects to popular leader, who used to travel with people in state-run buses even when he was a minister.
“Nambadan Mash (short for master) was a leader who remained close to his people. He proved his mettle as a legislator, minister and parliamentarian,” Chief Minister Oomemn Chandy said.
Nambadan Mash, as he was popularly known, also launched a statewide action tarring government boards written in English to press his demand for declaring Malayalam the official language.