Setting aside political differences, thousands bade farewell to CPI stalwart Veliyam Bhargavan as his mortal remains were laid to rest here this afternoon with state honours.
A central player of Kerala politics for decades, Bhargavan (85) died yesterday following age-related illnesses.
People drawn from different walks of life paid homage to the departed leader as his body was kept at the party's state headquarters M N Smarakam during the day.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, CPI national council secretary D Raja, state secretary Panniyan Raveendran and leaders from various other parties paid homage to the leader.
Party cadres and sympathisers from various parts of the state also offered a parting last salute to their leading comrade who built the party as a decisive force in Kerala's coalition scenario and led it for long without ever giving in to lures of power and pelf.
Reputed as a shrewd tactician and pragmatist, Bhargavan had an unsullied reputation in public life, endearing him to political friends and foes.
