From the early morning, comrades from all over the country started gathering at AKG Bhawan, the Central Committee office of the CPI(M) to pay their homage to the departed leader Comrade M.K.Pandhe. After the body was taken from the mortuary of RML Hospital, the same was brought to BTR Bhawan, the head quarters of CITU, of which he was the General Secretary / President since 1991 to 2010, a long period of 20 years. Homage was paid and wreaths placed by many central trade unions and independent federations and units of the CITU.
The body was then taken to AKG Bhawan, which reached at about 10-00 hours.It was received by Comrade Prakash Karat, General Secretary and other Polit Bureau members of the CPI(M). The body was placed at a specially prepared table. Homage was paid by the leaders first and then all the comrades who have come e by placing wreaths and flowers. Thousands of people came and paid homage.
On behalf of the BSNLEU, BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation and BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association, Comrades VAN Namboodiri, P.Asokababu, J.N.Mishra and S.C.Bhattachargee paid homage placing wreaths.
The body wasa taken in a decorated vehicle along with Comrade Pramila Pandhe and other relatives to the Lodhi Road Crematorium. Thousands of comrades led by Comrades Prakash Karat, General Secretary and other PB Members went through the road in a procession to the crematorium. The body was placed in the electrical crematorium by about 1600 hours amidst the shouting of ‘Comrade Pandhe Amar Rahe” “Red Salute to Comrade Pandhe” etc. slogans.Last of the slogans were led by Comrade Pramila Pandhe paying her last salute to her life partner.
Comrade Pandhe is no more. BUt his teachings and how he led the party and the trade union movement is well known to all. It is the responsibility and duty of all comrades to ensure to follow the correct path led by him to protect and defend the rights of the workers and the common people.
Red Salute to Comrade Pandhe!