Marxist firebrand K R Gouri turns 99

: Communist stalwart and the lone surviving member of the first Kerala Legislative Assembly, K R Gouri turned 99 today.

Cutting across party lines, a number of leaders and people from various walks of life visited Gouri, one of the strongest woman leaders of the state, at her residence in Alappuzha to greet her.

The veteran leader, fondly called 'Gouri Amma', welcomed everyone with her trademark smile and humourous replies.

A cake was cut and sumptuous feast served to mark the occasion.

Extending his birthday greetings, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a Facebook post that Gouri Amma is one of the few unique personalities of the state politics.

"Wishing birthday to Gouri Amma who is moving towards 100 years. Her life story is the history of the state as well," he said.

Remembering her contributions as an administrator, Vijayan said Gouri had spearheaded several reforms in her capacity as minister.

As Revenue Minister, she had presented the Agrarian Relations Bill in the first state ministry in the year 1959.

She had also made priceless contributions for the state's development as a legislator and political leader, the Chief Minister added.

A firebrand leader, K R Gouri had served as Revenue minister in the first cabinet, headed by veteran Communist leader late E M Sankaran Namboothripad, which came to power in April 1957.

She was expelled from CPI-M in 1993 over alleged anti-party activities.

Later, she formed the Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi (JSS), a political outfit that became part of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), and became a Minister in the UDF-led government between 2001 and 2006.

However, she had severed ties with UDF in 2016 following differences with the Congress leadership.