Kochi, Jan 19 : Veteran CPI (M) leader E Balanandan died at a private hospital here on Monday morning. He was 84 and ailing for sometime.

He was admitted to a hospital following breathing problems last Friday.

E. Balanandan had been a member of the CPI (M)''s politburo since 1978. He initiated his political career in the Indian National Congress, but he later joined the CPI, and then the CPI (M).

From 1967 to 1977, he was a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. In 1980, he was elected for a four-year term to Lok Sabha.

He did not get a second term, but was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1988 and 1994.

Balanandan was President of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions and of the Electricity Employees'' Federation of India. (ANI)