Congress stalwart and four-time chief minister K Karunakaran was on Saturday cremated with full state honours as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a large number of people paid adieu to the colossus of Kerala politics.

After the family members performed the last rituals, a gun salute was accorded and Seva Dal volunteers paid their respects.

Karunakaran's son K Muraleedharan, grandchildren Arun Narayanan, Sabarinath and Karun lit the funeral pyre along with his younger brother Appunni Marar, son-in-law Dr Venugopal and his brother's grandson Manish Padmanabhan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had paid his last respects to the departed leader at the Thrissur town hall earlier in the day.

Defence Minister A K Antony, Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, Minister of State for Home Mulapally Ramachandran and state Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan paid their last respects to the departed leader at his residence in Poonkunnam in Thrissur. Several state ministers, members of Parliament, members of legislative assembly and many others attended the cremation.

State Chief Secretary Dr P Prabhakaran and Director General of Police Jacob Punnose were present at the funeral.

Karunakaran was laid to rest next to the grave of his wife Kalyanikutty Amma, who passed away 15 years ago.

Many political experts are now wondering if Muraleedharan will return to the Congress, as per the last wishes of the veteran leader.

Defence Minister A K Antony is likely to urge the party high command to let Muraleedharan join the Congress again.

Photograph: S K Mohan