THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Irrigation Minister and Congress leader M P Gangadharan, 77, passed away around 2 p.m. here on Monday.The six-time legislator was undergoing treatment for a stomach-related ailment at a private hospital here.Gangadharan, who was active in the social field during his student days, entered politics while he was a practising advocate at the Manjeri court. He began his political career with the Praja Socialist Party (PSP) and later joined the Congress in 1963. He hailed from Palliyoor in Kozhikode. He was elected to the third Kerala Legislative Assembly from Nilambur constituency in a byelection held in 1970.Later, he was elected to the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eleventh Assemblies from constituencies, including Ponnani and Pattambi. Gangadharan had served as the Irrigation Minister in the K Karunakaran ministry of 1982. However, he had to resign before completing the full-term following a PIL filed by the late social activist Nawab Rajendran accusing him of marrying off his minor daughter. Gangadharan left the Congress and tried to pitch his fortunes with the Tiwari Congress and later moved to Democratic Indira Congress (K) floated by K Karunakaran in 2005. Later, he joined the Nationalist Congress Party but rejoined the Congress.In his illustrious political career, Gangadharan had held several important positions, including that of CLP leader, chairman of Kerala Water Authority and Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, AICC member, KPCC general secretary, Malappuram DCC president and KPCC executive member. Gangadharan was residing in the capital city for the past several years.The body will be kept at the KPCC office here at 4 p.m. on Tuesday for the public to pay homage. The cremation will be held at Santhikavadam, Thycaud, here at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday. He is survived by wife M K Santhakumari, two sons and one daughter.
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