Leader of Opposition and senior CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan remembered M.P. Parameswaran, the former nuclear scientist and CPI(M) theorist who passed away on Tuesday, as a strong advocate of rationalist thought and participatory development.“During an extensive stage of his life, he was a strong proponent and promoter of Left politics and scientific socialist thought,” Mr. Vijayan said in a condolence message. Mr. Parameswaran’s stand that participatory development and empowerement of the underprivileged should be ensured had a notable influence on Kerala’s development paradigm, Mr. Vijayan said.(A long-time CPI(M) member, Mr. Parameswaran was expelled from the party in 2004 for his ‘Fourth World’ ideas).Mr. Parameswaran has left his mark on Kerala society as a nuclear scientist, promoter of scientific temper and social activist, he said.Mr. Parameswaran dedicated his life to bringing people closer to science and promoting rationalist thought. He played a critical role in the growth of the Kerala Sastra Sahithya Parishad as well national-level movements dedicated to promoting science and literacy, Mr. Vijayan said.His writings on science linking it with people’s lives influenced generations. His stand that knowledge, scientific temper and democracy should be used as tools for social progress will always be remembered, Mr. Vijayan said. Published - August 11, 2026 06:56 pm IST