Kanathil Jameela, CPI(M) leader and sitting MLA of Koyilandy, passed away late on Saturday at a private hospital in Kozhikode. She was 59.
Jameela, who had been undergoing treatment for cancer, was admitted to the intensive care unit earlier this week. Hospital authorities confirmed that she died around 11.30 pm.
An MLA, former district panchayat president, and one of the most prominent women leaders of the CPI(M) in Kozhikode, Jameela had a long public life that spanned local governance, women’s mobilisation, and welfare work.
During her administrative tenure, she oversaw several notable programmes, including Snehasparsham for kidney patients, a cancer screening drive for women, the KARUNA initiative for humane stray-dog management, a mission to end landlessness, and schemes promoting sports and education.
Jameela had been a district committee member of the CPI(M). She was also the State vice-president of the All-India Democratic Women’s Association.
The CPI(M) state leadership condoled her death, calling it an “irreparable loss.”
Jameela made active interventions in issues concerning the people, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. As a leader of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, she was keen to bring to the fore issues concerning women. She garnered respect for her simplicity and friendship across party lines, Vijayan said.
Leaders across parties also issued statements remembering her as an accessible and grounded representative of the coastal constituency.
According to party sources, Jameela’s body will be taken to her residence today. Public homage will be held at the CPI(M) district committee office in Kozhikode and later at the Koyilandy Town Hall.
The post Kerala: CPI(M) MLA Kanathil Jameela dies at 59 after cancer battle appeared first on Maktoob media.
