Image credit : Illustrative Image

Kochi: Communist leader E Chandrashekaran Nair died today. He was 89.

A member of the first Kerala Assembly in 1957, he carved a niche in the civil supplies and tourism sectors and had an unblemished stint as minister.

He was the only Tourism Minister who had not travelled abroad in the name of promoting tourism. Instead he invited journalists from foreign countries to Kerala and also placed advertisements in media abroad. This helped Kerala become one of the 40 must-see destinations suggested by National Geography.

As Civil Supplies Minster he set up Maveli stores in all districts and taluks to provide essential articles at subsidised rates.

He was elected to the Assembly in 1957, 67, 77, 80, 87 and 96 and was minister thrice in 1980, 87 and 96 under EK Nayanar.

In 1980 and 1987, he was civil supplies minister, but in 1996 was given additional charge of law and tourism.

After doing his initial studies in Kerala, he took his degree from Annamalai University and a bachelors degree in law from Ernakulam Law College in 1950.

When the party split in 1964, he stayed remained with CPI.

The cremation will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.