Kannur is in mourning following the passing of Vayakkadi Balakrishnan, a revered Communist veteran and former member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Kannur district committee. At 87 years old, he breathed his last on Tuesday, October 14th, while receiving treatment at AKG Hospital in Kannur. His final rites are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 15th, at the Payyambalam crematorium.
For decades, Balakrishnan was a pivotal force as the Kannur area secretary for the CPI(M), playing an indispensable role in strengthening the party’s organizational roots across the district. His exceptional leadership and robust organizational prowess were evident as he also served as the CPI(M) area volunteer captain, guiding numerous party initiatives and events with unwavering commitment.
Beyond his party duties, Balakrishnan held several key positions, including a long tenure as president of the Kannur Co-operative Press. He also presided over the Kannur Sheera Sangam (Dairy Association) and served as a director on the board of AKG Co-operative Hospital, demonstrating his deep engagement with community welfare. Earlier in his career, he dedicated his efforts to the working class as a union officer at Western India Plywood.
His impactful political journey commenced with the vital task of organizing beedi workers, a grassroots effort that laid the foundation for his rise as a formidable and respected representative of the CPI(M) within Kannur city.
Vayakkadi Balakrishnan leaves behind a loving family: his wife, Jayalakshmi, and their sons, Baiju, Biju, and Liju Vayakkadi. In a heartfelt condolence message, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed profound sorrow, acknowledging Balakrishnan’s unwavering devotion to the party and the working class, and lamenting his passing as an immense loss for the CPI(M).