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Erambala Krishnan Nayanar (9 December 191919 May 2004) was an Indian Communist politician of the
Communist Party of India (Marxist) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (abbreviated as CPI(M)/CPIM/CPM) is a Marxist–Leninist communist political party in India. It is the largest communist party of India in terms of membership and electoral seats and one of the na ...
or CPI(M). He served three terms as the
Chief Minister of Kerala The chief minister of Kerala is the chief executive of the Indian state of Kerala. In accordance with the Constitution of India, the governor is a state's ''de jure'' head, but ''de facto'' executive authority rests with the chief minister. Fol ...
(1980–1981, 1987–1991 and 1996–2001) for a total of 10 years, 11 months and 22 days, thus making him the longest-serving holder of that office. At the time of death, he was a senior leader within the CPI(M), being a member of its central Politburo (1992–2004), and twice heading its Kerala state unit (1972–1980, 1992–1996).


Early life

Nayanar was born in an aristocratic
Nair The Nair , also known as Nayar, are a group of Indian Hindu castes, described by anthropologist Kathleen Gough as "not a unitary group but a named category of castes". The Nair include several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom histo ...
family in Kannur district on 9 December 1919, as the second son of Govindan Nambiar and Narayani Amma. Despite his father, Govindan Nambiar, being a believer in the feudalism, Nayanar took to the national movement of the time at a very young age under the influence of his cousin, K.P.R. Gopalan. Nayanar was influenced by the events following the admission of a Dalit girl to local school under the leadership of K.P.R. Gopalan. Nayanar was a participant in student movements in the Malabar region as a part of Balasangham and consequently dropped out of school. He also faced severe opposition from his father. He was drawn towards the socialist ideology guided by leaders like P. Krishna Pillai. Nayanar famously helped in the establishment of a library and named it Shri Harshan Library, after Harshan, a member of the oppressed caste who was tortured to death at the Kannur Central Jail for his participation in the national movement.


Political life


Pre-Independence

Nayanar was an Indian National Congress member then he joined the Communist Party of India in 1939 at the age of 20. As a youth leader, Nayanar organized several movements. He led the forty-six-day-long Aaron Mill workers' protest against the dismissal of thirty workers by the mill management in 1940. He was jailed for six months as a consequence. Nayanar was one of the organizers of Morazha rally on 15 September 1940 in protest of rising prices. Two policemen were killed in the rally and Nayanar went into hiding for six years without knowing that he was not one of the accused. He also organized peasant uprisings in Kayyur. A policeman was stoned by protesters and subsequently died in Kayyur. Communist leaders were actively pursued by police following the incident, forcing Nayanar to go into hiding in forest areas in Eleri. Later on, as Chief Minister, he set up a Government College in the area in 1981. The college was renamed to E.K. Nayanar Memorial Government college. While in hiding in
Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...
, he worked as a journalist for
Kerala Kaumudi ''Kerala Kaumudi'' is a Malayalam language daily newspaper published from Kerala, India. It was founded in 1911 by C. V. Kunhiraman as a periodical. His son K. Sukumaran later served as the newspaper's editor. Kerala Kaumudi Daily is among th ...
.


Post-Independence

After Independence, cases against Nayanar were dropped. He continued working actively for Communist Party of India. He was elected Kannur taluk secretary in 1948. He again was forced to go into hiding following ' Calcutta Thesis' proclamation that lead to banning Communist Party in India. During the
Sino-Indian War The Sino-Indian War took place between China and India from October to November 1962, as a major flare-up of the Sino-Indian border dispute. There had been a series of violent border skirmishes between the two countries after the 1959 Tibet ...
, Nayanar was accused of being pro-China and was imprisoned in 1964 under the Preventive Detention Act. He was the secretary of
Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second l ...
district committee of the united CPI from 1956 to 1964. Nayanar was also one of the 32 CPI national council members who walked out and formed
CPI(M) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (abbreviated as CPI(M)/CPIM/CPM) is a Marxist–Leninist communist political party in India. It is the largest communist party of India in terms of membership and electoral seats and one of the na ...
in 1964. He was a central committee member of the CPI(M) from the 7th Congress in 1964. He served as the Secretary of the Kerala State Committee of the CPI(M) from 1972 to 1980 and again from 1992 to 1996. He was elected to the Polit Bureau at the 14th Congress in 1992.


Legislative career

In 1967, he was elected to the
Lok Sabha The Lok Sabha, constitutionally the House of the People, is the lower house of India's bicameral Parliament, with the upper house being the Rajya Sabha. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by an adult universal suffrage and a first-p ...
from
Palakkad Palakkad (), formerly known as Palghat, historically known as Palakkattussery is a city and municipality in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the Palakkad District. Palakkad is most densely populated municipal ...
. He became an MLA for the first time from Irikkur legislative assembly in 1974. Since he has been elected as an MLA five more times (twice each from
Malampuzha Malampuzha, , is a village in Palakkad district of Kerala, South India, near to the Malampuzha Dam. Transport * Nearest railway station: Palakkad Junction - 15 km * Nearest airport: Coimbatore International Airport - 55 km Malampuzha ...
(1980 and 1982) and
Thrikkarippur Thrikaripur a small town located in south part of Kasaragod District in the state of Kerala, India. Its southernmost end Olavara touches Payyannur, Kannur District. Demographics The 2001 Census of India determined that the population of Trik ...
(1987 and 1991) and once from Thalasseri (1996), losing only once.


Chief Minister of Kerala


Electoral History as the leader of LDF


First term (1980 - 1982)

The 1980 election saw the formation of two pre-poll alliances, viz. LDF and UDF, most of whose constituent parties were part of the erstwhile
United Front A united front is an alliance of groups against their common enemies, figuratively evoking unification of previously separate geographic fronts and/or unification of previously separate armies into a front. The name often refers to a political ...
. CPI(M)-led LDF to win the election, after winning 93 seats altogether. E. K. Nayanar was sworn in as the Chief Minister on 26 March 1980 Nayanar was sworn in as the
Chief Minister of Kerala The chief minister of Kerala is the chief executive of the Indian state of Kerala. In accordance with the Constitution of India, the governor is a state's ''de jure'' head, but ''de facto'' executive authority rests with the chief minister. Fol ...
on 26 March 1980 for the first time in 1980. He formed government with the support of
Congress (A) Congress (A) was a political party founded by A. K. Antony when he split from the Indian National Congress (U) a splinter group of the Indian National Congress. The party was primarily active in Kerala. The party merged with the Congress (I) in 1 ...
under A. K. Antony and Kerala Congress under K. M. Mani. But both the parties left for United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition and the Government was dissolved on 20 October 1981. He served as the leader of the opposition from 1981 to 1987.


Second term (1987 - 1991)

In the 1987 election under the leadership of Nayanar LDF secured a decisive majority in the assembly securing 78 seats. The UDF won 61 seats. Nayanar became the chief Minister for a second time in 1987. But he did not complete his term of five years as
CPI(M) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (abbreviated as CPI(M)/CPIM/CPM) is a Marxist–Leninist communist political party in India. It is the largest communist party of India in terms of membership and electoral seats and one of the na ...
decided to contest elections early in 1991 assuming political climate to be favourable. But the left lost the elections and Nayanar became the leader of the opposition yet again. He resigned from that post the very next year when he was chosen as the Kerala state secretary of the CPI(M) and was succeeded by V. S. Achuthanandan as the opposition leader.


Third term (1996 - 2001)

In the 1996 election, LDF secured a decisive majority in the assembly securing 80 seats. Nayanar initially had not contested the 1996 assembly elections but as V. S. Achuthanandan who was projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate lost in Mararikkulam. A faction in the party wanted Susheela Gopalan to be the Chief Minister, but when the matter was put to vote in the state secretariat, Nayanar was selected to be the CM. He contested and won by-elections in Thalasseri. He is revered and respected by both the LDF and UDF for his contributions for the development of the state.


Achievements

Nayanar introduced several reforms during his tenures as Chief Minister like The Kerala Coir workers Welfare Fund Act, 1987, The Kerala Khadi Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1989, The Kerala Abkari Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1989, The Kerala Construction Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1989 and the Kerala Ration Dealer's Welfare Fund Act, 1998. In 1996,the new LDF government led by EK Nayanar made People's Planning Campaign. The government commissioned a staggering 33% of its money to local governments like the panchayats, municipalities and corporations. The campaign thus allowed for the provision of a three-tier system of power in panchayats and a one tier system in urban areas, and also helped local people to determine and implement their own development priorities. This helped make the government more effective, more inclusive and moreover people-centric. Decentralisation was implemented. Nayanar visited the Apple facility in the
Silicon Valley Silicon Valley is a region in Northern California that serves as a global center for high technology and innovation. Located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area, it corresponds roughly to the geographical areas San Mateo Coun ...
,
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
in 1989. This led to form Techopark, India's first IT park and still remains the largest in India. Nayanar laid the foundation stone on 1990. Technopark came into being on 28 July 1990, after it was registered under the Travancore Cochin Scientific and Charitable Societies Act. As of 2020, the IT park employs 70,000 people and provide indirect employment to lakhs. In 1998, Kutumbashree, a movement for the empowerment of women, was launched by the Nayanar Government. Today, Kudumbashree is Kerala's 43 lakh women community network, which is spread across 941 Panchayats. Kudumbashree is always the most ignored pillar of the Kerala Model. In 1989, EK Nayanar started the total literacy campaign, leading to a declaration in April 1991 that Kerala was the first totally literate state in the country. In 1996, Nayanar took over as chairman of the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) project. The construction picked up momentum during this period and Nayanar ensured that the airport project received special attention from the State Government and gave his unstinted support to CIAL. By 1997, substantial land was taken into CIAL possession through negotiated settlements. On 25 May 1999 in the presence of then President of India, K. R. Narayanan inaugurated the airport. The
Kannur International Airport Kannur International Airport is an airport serving the North Malabar region of Kerala, Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka and Mahé district of Puducherry in India. It is located east of Kannur, and east of Thalassery, near the muni ...
project was conceived in 1996 when Nayanar was the Chief Minister of Kerala. Nayanar was instrumental for the establishment of
Kannur University Kannur University is a multi-campus public university established in 1996 to provide development of higher education in Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad districts of Kerala, India. It serves the region of North Malabar. It was established after the ...
. The university was inaugurated on 2 March 1996 by Nayanar. The objective of the Kannur University Act, 1996 was to establish in the state of Kerala a teaching, residential and affiliating university to provide for the development of higher education in Kasargod and Kannur revenue Districts and the Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad District. The government led by Nayanar ideated the Kochi Metro Project in 1999. The cabinet meeting held on 21 July 1999, of the then LDF government , assigned Rail India Technological and Economic Services (RITES) for the feasibility study for a metro rapid transport system in
Kochi Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
. The techno-economic feasibility study for a Metro Rapid Transit System in
Kochi Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...
was completed in 1999, which was begun in the same year, by Rail India Technological and Economic Services (RITES). The techno-feasibility study report was submitted to the state government in 1999.


Literary works

Nayanar has authored several works in both English and Malayalam. He was also an occasional poet. A few notable works are: #''Olivukala Smrithkal'': Memories of Hideout Days > # ''Doha Diary'' # ''Marxism-Oru Mukhavara'' (Marxism-An introduction) # ''Nehru-Gandhi Oru Padanam'' (Nehru-Gandhi A Study) # ''Karl Marx'' # ''American Diary'' # ''Ente China Diary'' (My China Diary) # ''Parliamentum Chila Vasthuthakalum'' (Parliament and Some Facts) # ''Samara Theecholayil'' Nayanar had been a correspondent and editor for
Deshabhimani ''Deshabhimani'' is a Malayalam newspaper and the organ of the Kerala State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). It started as a weekly in Calicut on 6 September 1942 and converted to a daily in 1946. The paper now has ten diffe ...
. He had worked in
Chennai Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
as Deshabhimani correspondent. He used to write a weekly column in Deshabhimani, ''Munnottu'' (Forward).


In popular culture

Nayanar was renowned for his humorous remarks and speeches. During his third term as Chief Minister, Nayanar also used to conduct a public interaction show, "''Mukhya Mantriyodu Chothikyuka''" ("Ask the Chief Minister") in Asianet TV channel.


Personal life

Nayanar married Sarada Teacher, niece of K. P. R. Gopalan in 1958. They had two sons and two daughters.


Death

Nayanar was admitted to the AIIMS on 26 April for advanced treatment of
diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ...
, after a brief stay at the Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram earlier. His condition became worse following kidney and heart failure on 6 May when he was put on the life support system. He died on 19 May 2004 at the age of 85. He was cremated with full state honours at
Payyambalam Beach Kannur Beach is a group of five beaches on the western side of Kannur city in Kerala, India. They are # Payyambalam Beach # Meenkunnu Beach # Adikadalayi Beach # Baby Beach # Thayyil Beach Overview A sculpture ''Amma ( Thai)'' by Kanayi ...
, Kannur. He is survived by his wife, children, in-laws and grandchildren.


See also

* Chief Ministers of Kerala *
Kerala Council of Ministers Kerala Council of Ministers, are elected legislative members, who are appointed as ministers by the Kerala State Governor to form the executive branch of the Government of Kerala. They hold various portfolios as decided by the Chief Minister ...
* Politics in Kerala


References


Further reading

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nayanar, E. K. 1919 births 2004 deaths Communist Party of India (Marxist) politicians from Kerala Chief Ministers of Kerala Indian atheists Malayali politicians Politicians from Kannur India MPs 1967–1970 Lok Sabha members from Kerala Leaders of the Opposition in Kerala Chief ministers from Communist Party of India (Marxist) Kerala MLAs 1970–1977 Kerala MLAs 1982–1987 Kerala MLAs 1991–1996 People from Kannur district Malayalam-language writers Indian political writers Indian autobiographers Indian Marxist writers Indian editors 20th-century Indian biographers 20th-century Indian poets 20th-century Indian journalists Writers from Kannur Poets from Kerala Journalists from Kerala Indian male journalists Indian male poets Occasional poets