CPI leader dead

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IMPHAL MARCH 6: The  veteran CPI leader of Manipur Pheiroijam Parijat, 72 died today morning after a brief illness. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and many other politicians and  public figures condoled on the death of the leader. They said that his death left a political vacuum and it will not be easy to fill the vacuum.

The body was kept in state to pay the last tribute by his followers, admirers and relatives in his home at Nongada in Imphal East district. Later it was cremated on the presence of thousands of mourners.

Parijat joined CPI in 1965. He had contested from the Lamlai Assembly constituency in 1972 and won. He had been elected six times from this constituency. Though traditiolly an opposition party, CPI became a coalition partner of the ruling Congress for two terms.

Parijat became a cabinet minister in both the terms and held important portfolios like  health, power, Arts and Culture.

The CPI pulled out of the coalition ahead of the 2012 Assembly elections. In this election the CPI candidates lost all constituencies.