Senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament KP Dhanapalan passed away on Saturday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in North Paravur in Kerala. He was 76. According to hospital sources, Dhanapalan had been admitted in a critical condition after his health deteriorated on Friday. His mortal remains have been kept at the hospital for public viewing.
A prominent political figure from Ernakulam district, Dhanapalan began his public life through the Congress student wing, the Kerala Students Union (KSU). He went on to serve as the North Paravur Municipal Councillor from 1995 to 2000 and earlier held the post of Municipal Chairman between 1979 and 1984.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Chalakudy constituency in 2009. In the 2014 general elections, he contested from Thrissur but was defeated. Over his long political career, he also served in various organisational and institutional roles, including as chairman of Milma and as a board member of a regional Gramin Bank. He was widely regarded as a close associate of former Defence Minister AK Antony.
Dhanapalan had recently attended a felicitation ceremony of Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan held in Paravur, just days before his health worsened.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan expressed deep condolences, describing Dhanapalan as a leader known for his calm demeanour, gentle approach and unwavering commitment to the Congress party. “He was one of the principal faces of the Congress in Ernakulam and a leader whom workers could always approach for guidance,” the Chief Minister said, adding that his passing was a personal loss.
In a social media post, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described Dhanapalan as a “hard-working and devoted parliamentarian,” recalling his tenure in the Lok Sabha between 2009 and 2014. Tharoor also termed him “unlucky,” noting that he was shifted from his constituency in the 2014 elections despite his strong grassroots presence.
Kerala Home and Vigilance Minister Ramesh Chennithala also mourned his demise, recalling their long association since their days in the KSU and Youth Congress. He said Dhanapalan’s calm nature, discipline and dedication to public life would be remembered by party workers and colleagues alike.
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