Senior Congress leader P.P. Thankachan who died here was widely acknowledged as a man of consensus who maintained cordial relations cutting across party affiliations.
In his tribute, K.C. Venugopal, MP and All Indian Congress Committee general secretary, observed that Mr. Thankachan had strong opinions but always strived for consensus and coaxed people away from striking extreme positions. He never bulldozed decisions, but consulted everyone, he said.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheeshan recollected that Mr. Thankachan was a supportive colleague to his generation and how he was consulted before taking important decisions. UDF convener Adoor Prakash said that he was a fatherly figure and how his functioning rooted in love and trust to take the UDF forward cannot be forgotten.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remembered Mr. Thankachan as a leader untainted by controversy. Senior Congress leader A.K. Antony termed Mr. Thankachan a steadfast anchor for the UDF in trying times.
Senior Congress leader and former chief minister A.K. Antony recollected how even during the peak of the group rivalry in the Congress, Mr. Thankachan still managed to command the respect of rival group leaders. He was particular about maintaining personal relations cutting across politics, castes, and religions, which should serve as a model to political and community leaders, Mr. Antony said.
