P T Thomas, a firebrand leader of the Congress and MLA representing Thrikka
kkara constituency died on Wednesday at Christian Medical College, Vellore. Thomas(70) was ailing and undergoing treatment at Vellore. He was also a former MP representing Idukki and the working president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee.
A leading environmentalist and ecologist, Thomas wanted the Kerala Government to accept the recommendations of the Madhav Gadgil Committee Report on Western Ghats that had warmed the State about the fast depleting forest wealth due to deforestation, encroachment and mining.
Though the Church in Kerala was for rejecting the Report, Thomas stood his ground and this led the party to replace with another person at Idukki as candidate for the Lok Sabha election.
Thomas, who entered politics through KSU, the student wing of the Congress, rose from the cadre to the present position through hard work and his leadership qualities. He was a close confidante of former Chief Ministers A K Antony and Oomen Chandi though he had taken independent views on many issues which were diametrically opposite to his leaders.
He is survived by his wife Uma and two sons. Rahul Gandhi MP, former AICC chief, expressed his grief and condolences over the demise of Thomas. The final rites would be held at Ernakulam on Thursday morning. Rahul Gandhi who had reached Kozhikode on Wednesday cancelled his engagements in the district and would proceed to Kochi to pay last respect to his colleague.