Kochi, 30 May (H.S.):

Senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament K.P. Dhanapalan passed away on Saturday at the age of 76. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Paravur, bringing to an end a long and distinguished political career spanning several decades.

A prominent Congress leader from Kerala, Dhanapalan represented the Chalakudy constituency in the Lok Sabha after winning the 2009 parliamentary elections. He was widely respected within the party for his organizational skills and grassroots connect and played a key role in strengthening the Congress in central Kerala.

Dhanapalan also served as the President of the Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC), where he earned recognition for his leadership and efforts to expand the party’s influence in the district. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from the Thrissur constituency but was unsuccessful in his bid for re-election.

Throughout his public life, Dhanapalan held several important positions beyond electoral politics. He served as a member of the Paravur Municipal Council, Chairman of Milma, and a member of the Board of Directors of the North Malabar Gramin Bank. His contributions to cooperative institutions and local governance were widely acknowledged across political circles.

In the 2001 Kerala Assembly elections, the Congress had allotted him the Vadakkekara constituency. However, despite beginning preparations for the campaign, he was forced to withdraw from the contest before polling.

Within the Congress party, Dhanapalan was regarded as one of the closest confidants of former Kerala Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader A.K. Antony. His loyalty to the party, administrative experience, and strong personal relationships across the political spectrum earned him respect from colleagues and opponents alike.

His demise has been mourned by political leaders across party lines, who remembered him as a committed public servant, seasoned parliamentarian, and dedicated Congress worker whose contributions left a lasting impact on Kerala’s political landscape.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman