Kerala chief minister List 2023, First Chief Minister and Tenure

Kerala chief minister

Since May 25, 2016, Indian politician Pinarayi Vijayan has held the position of Current Chief Minister of Kerala. Son of Shri Koran and Smt. Kalyani was born in Pinarayi, in the district of Kannur, on March 21, 1944. After finishing his secondary education, he enrolled in a Pre-University program at the Government Brennen College in Thalassery. He then completed his degree program at the same college.

• Pinarayi Vijayan got involved in politics at Govt Brennen College in Thalassery through student union activities, and in 1964, he joined the Communist Party.
• He was detained by the authorities and subjected to torture between 1975 and 1977 when there was an emergency.
• He belongs to the Polit Bureau of the Indian Communist Party (Marxist).
• From 1998 until 2015, he had previously held the position of Secretary of the Kerala State Committee of the CPI (M).
• From 1996 to 1998, he was Minister for Power and Cooperation in the Left Democratic Front Government led by Shri. E.K. Nayanar.
• The state increased its capacity for generating power to a record level during his tenure as electricity minister by promptly completing augmentation and new projects.
• Veena and Vivek are his two children; he is married to Kamala.
• He was elected to the Kerala Assembly from the Koothuparamba constituency in 1970, 1977, and 1991, as well as the Payyannur constituency in 1996.

List of Chief Ministers (CM) of Kerala

Here is the updated List of Chief Ministers of Kerala 1956 – 2023

Chief ministers of Travancore-Cochin (1949–1956)

Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai (1949-1952):

• First Chief Minister of Travancore-Cochin, unanimously chosen by the Congress party.
• Led the state through its infancy, integrating the Travancore and Cochin administrations.
• Focused on establishing administrative stability and infrastructure development.

C. Kesavan (1952):

• Served as Chief Minister for a brief period following Narayana Pillai’s resignation.
• Belonged to the Travancore Tamil Nadu Congress, representing the Tamil minority in the state.
• Faced political instability and opposition from other parties.

Anaparambil Joseph John (1952-1954):

• Won the first state elections held in 1951, leading the Travancore-Cochin Congress party.
• Implemented progressive measures like land reforms and expansion of education.
• Resigned due to internal party conflicts and controversies.

Pattom A. Thanu Pillai (1954-1956):

• Returned as Chief Minister, this time with the Praja Socialist Party.
• Focused on economic development and industrialization, attracting investments.
• Oversaw the state’s integration into the newly formed Indian state of Kerala in 1956.

Prime ministers of Travancore (1948–49)

Pattom A. Thanu Pillai,

• He took office in March 1948.
• A seasoned politician, he navigated the turbulent waters of Indian independence and advocated for a democratic Travancore.
• He implemented progressive policies like land reforms and education initiatives.
• But resigned amidst political turmoil in October 1948.

T. K. Narayana Pillai

• State in managing its affairs during the final months before it becomes a part of another entity.
• He was Congress Party moderate leader, he focused on maintaining stability and preparing for the upcoming merger with Cochin
• This merger culminated in the formation of Travancore-Cochin in July 1949, paving the way for the eventual creation of Kerala in 1956.

First Chief Minister of Kerala

• The First Chief Minister of Kerala was E. M. S. Namboodiripad From 1957 to 1959

• Namboodiripad took office on April 5, 1957, after the Kerala state’s formation in 1956.
• He was head of the Communist Party of India (CPI)
• Championed the Kerala Land Reform Act, redistributing land ownership to peasants, reducing feudalism.
• Faced political opposition and accusations of radicalism, with his term ending abruptly due to President’s rule in 1959.

First Dalit Chief Minister of Kerala

• The First Dalit Chief Minister of Kerala was R. Sankar.
• R. Sankar Assumed office on September 26, 1962.
• Belonged to the Pulaya community, historically disadvantaged due to the caste system.
• He represented the Praja Socialist Party (PSP).
• He focused on policies to improve the lives of Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalized groups.
• Increased educational opportunities
• Initiated welfare programs for disadvantaged communities.
• Supported the Kerala Land Reform Act to empower peasants and address land inequality.
• He served for just 2 years, facing political challenges and opposition from upper-caste groups.

First Muslim Chief Minister of Kerala

• C. H. Mohammed Koya was the First Muslim Chief Minister of Kerala from October 1979 to January 1980)
• He assumed office on October 21, 1979, marking a historic moment for Muslim representation in the state’s politics.
• He represents the Indian Union Muslim League.
• Served for only 89 days due to political instability and internal party conflicts.
• Launched initiatives to improve infrastructure and educational opportunities for all communities, particularly in Muslim-majority areas.

Facts of Chief Ministers of Kerala

• In 2018, Pinarayi Vijayan received the Gandhidarshan Award for best chief minister.
• In Baltimore, Maryland, the Institute of Human Virology recognised Pinarayi Vijayan for effectively containing the 2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala.
• M. S. Namboodiripad served as Kerala’s first chief minister.
• K. Nayanar served as Kerala’s chief minister for the longest period of time, holding the position for a total of 10 years, 353 days.

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