Former two-time Kerala Assembly Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman, 96, passed away at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

• Leaders across the political spectrum condoled the death of Mr. Purushothaman. 
• He served as who served as the Governor of Mizoram from 2011 to 2014, Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, state minister and Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan recalled Mr. Purushothaman’s “efficiency and vision” in public service.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the Congress lost one of its tallest leaders who made a mark as a parliamentarian and administrator. “He put an indelible stamp on every office he occupied,” Mr. Vijayan said.