CPI-M leader MC Josephine dies of heart attack

CPI-M central committee member MC Josephine died on Sunday. She was 71.

Josephine collapsed on Saturday night while attending the CPI-M Congress in Kannur and was taken to hospital.

Josephine came to the party in 1970s through the Kerala State Youth Federation, the youth organisation that existed before the formation of DYFI and AIDWA. She became a member of the party in 1978, worked in various committees, and was elevated to the state committee in 1987.  She had also taken responsibilities as the state president as well as national vice president of AIDWA and was the chairperson of Greater Cochin Development Authority.

Josephine was the chairperson of the State Women’s Commission from 2017 to 2021. She unsuccessfully contested assembly elections three time, from Angamali (1987), Mattancherry (2006) and Kochi (2011), and once to the Lok Sabha from Idukki (1989). 

She had been a councillor in Angamaly municipality in Ernakulam District for 13 years. 

Josephine’s husband and trade union leader PA Mathai passed away on March 30, 2020. He too suffered a heart attack. 

She is survived by her son, Manu Mathai.