Kerala MLA Vazhoor Soman, who represented the Peerumade constituency, passed away at the age of 72 after collapsing during a revenue assembly in Thiruvananthapuram. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors could not save his life.
A native of Vazhoor in Kottayam district, Soman began his political journey in the 1970s as a trade union leader in the Peerumade plantation sector. He was actively involved with AIYF and AISF before rising to become the High Range Estates Union general secretary in 1978. Throughout his career, he worked closely with former MLA and CPI leader C.A. Kuriyan, championing the rights of plantation workers.
First elected to the Kerala Assembly in 2021, Vazhoor Soman defeated UDF candidate Cyriac Thomas by a margin of 1,835 votes. He also served as AITUC State vice-president and chairman of the State Warehousing Corporation.
Known for voicing issues of plantation workers and farmers, Soman often raised concerns in the Assembly about human-animal conflict and wild animal attacks in Peerumade, directly criticizing the Forest Department and the Minister. His advocacy sometimes stirred friction within the ruling LDF alliance.
CPI State council member Jose Philip recalled Soman’s long-standing role in the plantation labour movement and his efforts to secure fair wages and better living conditions. “He always stood for the welfare of workers,” Philip said, noting that Soman was working on a constituency development report before his passing.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his condolence message, described him as a dedicated leader who consistently fought for the rights of labourers.
Soman is survived by his wife Bindu and sons, Sobin and Sobith.
