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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

S.No

Chief Minister

From

To

Assembly

Party

1 Pinarayi Vijayan 20 May 2021 Present 15th Communist Party of India (Marxist)
2 Pinarayi Vijayan 25 May 2016 19 May 2021 14th
3 Oommen Chandy 18 May 2011 20 May 2016 13th Indian National Congress
4 V. S. Achuthanandan 18 May 2006 14 May 2011 12th Communist Party of India (Marxist)
5 Oommen Chandy 31 Aug 2004 12 May 2006 11th Indian National Congress
6 A. K. Antony 17 May 2001 29 Aug 2004
7 E. K. Nayanar 20 May 1996 13 May 2001 10th Communist Party of India (Marxist)
8 A. K. Antony 22 Mar 1995 09 May 1996 9th Indian National Congress
9 K. Karunakaran 24 Jun 1991 16 Mar 1995
10 E. K. Nayanar 26 Mar 1987 17 Jun 1991 8th Communist Party of India (Marxist)
11 K. Karunakaran 24 May 1982 25 Mar 1987 7th Indian National Congress
12 President’s rule 17 Mar 1982 23 May 1982 Dissolved N/A
13 K. Karunakaran 28 Dec 1981 17 Mar 1982 6th Indian National Congress
14 President’s rule 21 Oct 1981 28 Dec 1981 Dissolved N/A
15 E. K. Nayanar 25 Jan 1980 20 Oct 1981 6th Communist Party of India (Marxist)
16 President’s rule 05 Dec 1979 25 Jan 1980 Dissolved N/A
17 C. H. Mohammed Koya 12 Oct 1979 01 Dec 1979 5th Indian Union Muslim League
18 P. K. Vasudevan Nair 29 Oct 1978 07 Oct 1979 Communist Party of India
19 A. K. Antony 27 Apr 1977 27 Oct 1978 Indian National Congress
20 K. Karunakaran 25 Mar 1977 25 Apr 1977
21 C. Achutha Menon 04 Oct 1970 25 Mar 1977 4th Communist Party of India
22 President’s rule 04 Aug 1970 03 Oct 1970 Dissolved N/A
23 C. Achutha Menon 01 Nov 1969 01 Aug 1970 3rd Communist Party of India (Marxist)
24 E. M. S. Namboodiripad 06 Mar 1967 01 Nov 1969 Communist Party of India
25 President’s rule 25 Mar 1965 06 Mar 1967 Dissolved N/A
26 President’s rule 10 Sep 1964 25 Mar 1965
27 R. Sankar 26 Sep 1962 10 Sep 1964 2nd Indian National Congress
28 Pattom A. Thanu Pillai 22 Feb 1960 26 Sep 1962 Praja Socialist Party
29 President’s rule 31 Jul 1959 22 Feb 1960 Dissolved N/A
30 E. M. S. Namboodiripad 05 Apr 1957 31 Jul 1959 1st Communist Party of India
31 President’s rule 01 Nov 1956 05 Apr 1957 Dissolved N/A

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.
Sl.No Name From To Assembly Party
1. Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai 1 July 1949 1 March 1951 1st Indian National Congress
2. C. Kesavan 3 March 1951 12 March 1952
3. A. J. John 12 March 1952 16 March 1954 2nd
4. Pattom Thanu Pillai 16 March 1954 10 February 1955 3rd Praja Socialist Party
5. Panampilly Govinda Menon 10 February 1955 23 March 1956 Indian National Congress
6. President’s rule 23 March 1956 31 October 1956 Dissolved N/A

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.
Sl.No Name From  To Assembly Party
1. Pattom Thanu Pillai 24 March 1948 17 October 1948 Representative Body(1948–49) Indian National Congress
2. Paravoor T. K. Narayana Pillai 22 October 1948 1 July 1949

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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FAQs

Who is the current CM of Kerala?

Pinarayi Vijayan was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2016 and subsequently appointed Kerala's Chief Minister.

Who is the 14th Chief Minister of Kerala?

The current chief minister is Pinarayi Vijayan, and his Left Democratic Front administration took office on May 25, 2016.

Who is the first Chief Minister of Kerala?

E. M. S. Namboodiripad was the First Chief Minister of Kerala.

Who is the governor of Kerala 2023?

Arif Mohammad Khan is the current governor of Kerala 2023.

How many ministers are there in Kerala?

The new Kerala state cabinet has 21 members including the chief minister.