THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior congress leader Thalekunnil Basheer died here Friday morning. He was 79. He died at his residence in Vembayam in the capital city. He was undergoing treatment for heart ailments during the past five years.

Basheer, who had served as an MP and MLA, reached Assembly from Kazhakoottam in 1977. He later resigned his post for A K Antony to contest. He reached the Lok Sabha twice from Chirayinkeezhu constituency. He had also served in the Rajya Sabha. He has also held several party posts including KPCC general secretary and DCC president. Basheer was an important face of the KPCC till 2016. His wife is late Suhra, sister of actor Prem Nazir. He will be laid to rest after his son arrives from abroad.

He was born in 1945 in the village of Thalekunnu near Venjaramoodu in Thiruvananthapuram. He entered active politics through KSU. He graduated from Ivanios College and Law College. Basheer has authored several books which has left its mark on the political, social, cultural and literary co-operation. He was loyal to senior Congress leader A K Antony.