Ex-CPI(M) MLA Kosala Ramadas dies

Thiruvananthapuram: Kosala Ramadas, former CPI(M) MLA in the Kerala assembly and veteran trade unionist, died here, family sources said. Ramadas (86), who was ill for some time, died here last night.

Ramadas was elected to the Kerala Assembly in 1967 from Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram district. But he quit the Assembly membership and the party on account of his pro-Naxalite moorings. He later left Naxalism on ideological grounds and concentrated on organising workers under an independent trade union he floated without being the affiliate of any political party. Ramadas had also served as Mayor of Thiruananthapuram briefly while he was in the CPI(M). He is survived by wife and two children. PTI