Freedom fighter and Mahatma Gandhi aide Ayyappan Pillai passes away

Thiruvananthapuram: Freedom fighter K Ayyappan Pillai, an associate of Mahatma Gandhi, died due to age-related illness at a private hospital here on Wednesday. He was 107.

After a meeting with the Mahatma, Pillai contested election as an Indian National Congress (INC) candidate from Thiruvananthapuram in the newly formed Legislature of Travancore.

As a lawyer and having close association with late Maharaja of Travancore Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, he carried out negotiations with the Congress.

He was an active participant in the Quit India movement and was advised by Mahatma Gandhi to enter electoral politics.

Pillai, son of Kumara Pillai of Nagercoil, was born in the princely state of Travancore into an aristocratic family. He graduated from Law College, Trivandrum.

He also served as a member in the Sri Mulam Popular Assembly (Sri Moolam Praja Sabha) of Travancore. He was known as the senior-most living member of the Bar in India.

Pillai, a prolific writer, served as the Vice President and Treasurer of the BJP in Kerala for several years. (UNI)